Which areas of nuclear science do you imagine maintain the best potential to support Vietnam’s sustainable development over the following 10 to twenty years?
Vietnam has already developed robust capabilities in a number of areas the place nuclear science and expertise could make a big contribution to sustainable development.
One of a very powerful is meals and agriculture, which is carefully linked to meals safety. Vietnam has efficiently developed a few of the world’s greatest rice varieties, demonstrating how nuclear science and expertise, via the Vietnam Atomic Energy Institute (VINATOM), can support agricultural innovation and strengthen meals safety.
Another key space is business. Technologies similar to radioisotopes, radiotracers, and non-destructive testing assist guarantee the security and reliability of important infrastructure, together with bridges, hospitals, colleges, and industrial services. Vietnam already possesses appreciable experience in these purposes.
Healthcare is equally essential. Nuclear applied sciences play an important function within the early analysis and therapy of non-communicable ailments similar to most cancers and cardiovascular ailments. Nuclear medication, radiotherapy, and dosimetry are important for making certain sufferers obtain exact and efficient radiation therapy. These applied sciences will stay indispensable for many many years to come back.
To maintain progress throughout all these sectors, human capital is important. As the Minister of Science and Technology has emphasised, Vietnam must encourage and practice a brand new technology of scientists and engineers in nuclear science and expertise. The nation has already established a strong basis for growing future specialists, and the IAEA is dedicated to supporting Vietnam via capability constructing and technical cooperation.
Going ahead, the IAEA will proceed to work alongside Vietnam in advancing nuclear purposes for meals safety, healthcare, water administration, ocean well being, and environmental monitoring. These are all important pillars of sustainable development, and VINATOM already has the experience wanted to develop their influence.
As Vietnam prepares to restart its nuclear energy program, what ought to be the nation’s high precedence to make sure it’s developed safely, successfully, and with public confidence?
The choice to pursue nuclear energy is completely Vietnam’s sovereign alternative, and the IAEA stands able to support the nation all through that journey, simply as now we have finished with many different member international locations.
The first and most essential precedence is growing a highly-skilled workforce. Vietnam will needn’t solely nuclear engineers but in addition specialists in nuclear security, nuclear safety, radiation safety, communication, and different supporting disciplines.
Public communication is one other essential aspect. People want clear, clear details about why nuclear energy is secure, safe, and helpful. Building public confidence requires each technical excellence and efficient communication.
Once Vietnam has confirmed its roadmap, the IAEA will proceed working carefully with the federal government to strengthen institutional capability and develop the human sources vital for a secure and profitable nuclear energy program. Ultimately, human capability stays the cornerstone of long-term success.
Vietnam is among the many international locations most weak to local weather change. How can nuclear and isotopic strategies assist it adapt and strengthen local weather resilience?
Climate change is a actuality, and its impacts have gotten more and more evident throughout agriculture, water sources, marine ecosystems, and plenty of different sectors. Addressing these challenges requires science, innovation, and sensible options, and nuclear science has an essential function to play.
Take agriculture for example. Nuclear strategies might help develop crop varieties which are extra resilient to harsh environmental situations and require much less water. Sterile insect strategies can defend crops from pests, whereas irradiation applied sciences assist protect meals and scale back post-harvest losses.
Vietnam has already developed robust experience in lots of of those areas. In truth, each time I converse internationally about meals irradiation, I usually encourage folks to go to Vietnam and see its achievements firsthand.
Beyond agriculture, nuclear and isotopic strategies additionally support analysis on ocean acidification, water useful resource administration, and environmental monitoring. Vietnam already possesses the mandatory data and technical capability. The subsequent step is to develop these profitable purposes on a broader scale.
As Vietnam expands its worldwide cooperation in nuclear science and expertise, what function do you see the nation enjoying in advancing regional collaboration?
Vietnam has already demonstrated regional management on this space. For a number of years, it has labored carefully with the IAEA to support neighboring international locations similar to Laos and Cambodia, notably in healthcare, via tripartite cooperation packages.
Vietnam can also be an lively participant within the Regional Cooperative Agreement (RCA), which brings collectively greater than 20 international locations throughout Asia and the Pacific to change data, share greatest practices, and collectively develop regional packages.
Through these mechanisms, Vietnam is each contributing its experience and studying from the experiences of different international locations. I imagine it is going to proceed to play an more and more essential function in strengthening regional cooperation in nuclear science and expertise.
What benefits does Vietnam have in contrast with different international locations within the area in growing nuclear energy efficiently?
As I discussed earlier, growing nuclear energy is a choice for Vietnam to make, and the IAEA’s function is to support that call.
Vietnam is just not beginning from scratch. Several international locations within the area already function nuclear energy vegetation, offering useful expertise and alternatives for regional cooperation and data sharing.
The IAEA will proceed supporting Vietnam by facilitating entry to worldwide experience and serving to the nation profit from classes realized by others.
What are the IAEA’s priorities in supporting Vietnam’s nuclear energy development?
Our precedence is capability constructing. Developing nuclear energy requires a highly-qualified workforce able to making certain secure, safe, and dependable operations.
This consists of experience in reactor operation, nuclear gas administration, radioactive waste administration, nuclear security, and nuclear safety. Every facet of this system depends upon having well-trained professionals.
The IAEA is able to support Vietnam via coaching, technical help, and data switch. At the identical time, organizations similar to VARANS are additionally properly positioned to strengthen the nation’s regulatory framework for nuclear security and safety.
The IAEA has intensive international expertise, Vietnam has a robust basis and a transparent dedication, and collectively we’ll proceed working to make sure the nation’s nuclear program develops safely and efficiently.