Barbados Signs Five-Year Nuclear Cooperation Framework With IAEA
BRIDGETOWN, Barbados – Barbados has signed a five-year cooperation framework with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to support technical cooperation in health, agriculture, water management, energy and radiation safety through the peaceful application of nuclear technology.
Ambassador of Barbados to Austria and the United Nations Organisations in Vienna, Matthew Wilson (right) and Deputy Director General, International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Hua Liu, pose with the 2026-2031 Country Programme Framework. (GP)The 2026-2031 Country Programme Framework (CPF) is the first such framework developed since Barbados became a Member State of the IAEA in 2015.
The agreement was signed by Barbados’ Ambassador to Austria and the United Nations Organisations in Vienna, Matthew Wilson, and IAEA Deputy Director General Hua Liu.
Developed through consultations with national stakeholders representing key ministries, public institutions and technical agencies, the framework identifies national priorities and potential applications of nuclear technology for equitable development outcomes.
The CPF outlines five priority areas for technical cooperation: nuclear and radiation safety and nuclear security; human health; food and agriculture; water and the environment; and energy and industry.
According to the framework, the cooperation aims to establish the foundation for robust radiation safety and nuclear security infrastructure, strengthen diagnostic and therapeutic health services, improve agricultural resilience, ensure sustainable water management, and enhance national energy planning and industrial applications through peaceful nuclear technologies.
Wilson thanked the IAEA for its continued support to Barbados and other small states.
“The technical expertise and guidance provided by IAEA to Barbados is multifaceted in scope and will help us to enhance the provision of modern and safe health, agriculture and energy solutions to our people,” he said.
The collaboration between Barbados and the IAEA will be led by the Ministry of Health and Wellness, where the country’s National Liaison Officer is based.
