Key Takeaway: The IAEA had a productive 2024, making strides in various areas, including expanding the ZODIAC network for zoonotic disease control, bolstering cancer care through Rays of Hope, conducting groundbreaking research on microplastics in Antarctica with NUTEC Plastics, developing food authenticity verification methods, and advancing agricultural diagnostics and industrial 3D printing.
Background: The IAEA is the International Atomic Energy Agency, an international organization that seeks to promote the peaceful uses of nuclear energy and to inhibit its use for any military purpose, including nuclear weapons.
Purpose: This summary provides an overview of the IAEA's key achievements and activities in 2024.
Achievements in Health and Science
ZODIAC equipped nearly 40 veterinary labs with advanced tools and trained over 1000 professionals in 130 countries, expanding its network to 129 national laboratories.
Rays of Hope expanded its network of Anchor Centres to 11 and supported a Lancet Oncology Commission report on addressing global radiotherapy gaps.
NUTEC Plastics confirmed microplastics in Antarctica, expanded its 100-country laboratory network, and advanced bio-based plastic development using ionizing radiation.
IAEA developed methods to verify food authenticity using stable isotope analysis.
Advanced diagnostic assays were developed for rapid disease detection in agriculture.
Achievements in Food Security and Other Areas
Atoms4Food supported agrifood transformation through innovations in cropping, livestock productivity, and natural resource management. A roadmap for a protein digestibility database was also developed.
IAEA advanced industrial 3D printing using non-destructive testing techniques.
GloWAL completed a baseline survey involving 85 laboratories from 65 countries to inform capacity-building efforts in isotope hydrology.
Future Directions (2025)
Rays of Hope will focus on regional capacity-building for cancer care and develop the SUNRISE database.
ZODIAC will expand its network and focus on disease forecasting.
NUTEC Plastics will address plastic pollution with upcycling technology and expand its microplastic monitoring.
Atoms4Food will scale up nuclear technologies for food security and climate-resilient crops, and continue work on the protein digestibility database.
GloWAL will concentrate on capacity-building in isotope hydrology.
ReNuAL2 laboratory upgrades will strengthen IAEA's ability to address food, health, and environmental challenges.
Summary
Main Point: The IAEA made significant contributions across various fields in 2024, leveraging nuclear science and technology for global development and problem-solving.
Significance: These achievements contribute to improvements in human health, food security, environmental protection, and industrial advancements.
Next Steps: The IAEA will continue its efforts in 2025, focusing on expanding existing programs, strengthening international collaborations, and developing new initiatives to address global challenges.