Philippine Embassy in Vienna Highlights Innovative Non-Power Applications of Atomic Energy at IAEA Ministerial Conference

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Vienna, Austria – 27 November 2024: The Philippine Embassy in Vienna, in collaboration with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and international partners, hosted the side event “From Labs to Riches: Scaling Up the Non-Power Applications of Atomic Energy” during the IAEA Ministerial Conference on Nuclear Science, Technology, and Applications held from 26-28 November 2024 at the Vienna International Center.

The event, held on 27 November 2024, gathered policymakers, scientists, and industry leaders to discuss the potential of nuclear technology beyond power generation. Focusing on non-power applications, the session underscored how innovations in atomic energy can save lives, alleviate poverty, and offer sustainable solutions to global challenges.

In her opening remarks, Undersecretary Leah J. Buendia of the Philippine Department of Science and Technology highlighted the importance of advancing research from the laboratory to the industrial scale. “Scaling up projects ensures that the benefits of nuclear technology reach the people who need them most, driving innovation in industries and improving quality of life,” she emphasized.

Event Highlights

The event, moderated by Mr Dan Erwin Cruz Bagaporo, Third Secretary and Vice Consul, Philippine Embassy in Vienna, featured a panel of distinguished experts who shared their experiences in scaling up non-power applications:

Engr. Winchester Lemen (Philippines) is a mechanical engineer who founded Envirotech Waste Recycling, Inc. He has been using his skills for the greater good, running an environmental project that reduces plastic waste and turns it into useful products such as pots, benches, school chairs, and other furniture.
Professor Andrew Peele (Australia) is an adjunct professor of physics at La Trobe University. In his current role, Andrew leads ANSTO’s research and development capability in support of national research priorities, including health and the use of nuclear medicines, the environment, and the use of nuclear technologies and materials, as well as delivering real-life benefits to Australian research and industry through access to ANSTO’s unique research infrastructure capabilities, such as the Australian Centre for Neutron Scattering, the Australian Synchrotron, the Australian Centre for Accelerator Science and the National Deuteration Facility.
Ms. Tran Bich Ngọc (Viet Nam): Director General of the Department of Atomic Energy, Ministry of Science and Technology.

Mr. Gashaw Gebeyehu Wolde, Section Head of the IAEA Department of Technical Cooperation for Asia and the Pacific, spoke about the significant contributions of the Philippines to the programs and initiatives of the IAEA, particularly in the areas of capacity-building, technical cooperation, and promoting peaceful applications of nuclear science and technology. Here are the most notable contributions:

1. Technical Cooperation (TC) Programs

The Philippines has actively partnered with IAEA’s Technical Cooperation initiatives, particularly in agriculture, health, energy, and environmental management.

Agriculture: The Philippine Nuclear Research Institute (PNRI) developed mutant rice and crop varieties through radiation-induced mutation, helping improve food security and resilience to climate change.
Health: The Philippines has implemented IAEA-supported programs to enhance nuclear medicine and radiotherapy for cancer diagnosis and treatment, ensuring better access to healthcare services.
Disaster Risk Management: The country has utilized nuclear technology in environmental monitoring and risk reduction, using isotopic techniques to study water resources and mitigate flooding and drought risks.

2. Capacity-Building and Training

The Philippines is a regional nuclear science education and training leader through institutions like PNRI and academic partnerships.

Filipino experts have hosted and participated in IAEA regional training programs, helping build the capacities of Member States, particularly in Southeast Asia.
The Philippines supports the IAEA’s Human Resource Development initiatives, with Filipino professionals serving as experts, trainers, and resource persons in international workshops and technical meetings.

3. Leadership in Regional Cooperation

The Philippines is instrumental in fostering regional collaboration in nuclear science and technology.

The country has hosted several regional workshops and conferences on the peaceful uses of atomic energy, highlighting the importance of safe and secure applications of nuclear technology.
Filipino experts actively contribute to the Regional Cooperative Agreement for Research, Development, and Training Related to Nuclear Science and Technology (RCA), advancing the sharing of knowledge and resources across Asia and the Pacific.

The last part of the event was an open forum where participants raised thought-provoking questions about the role of education and artificial intelligence (AI) in advancing non-power applications of nuclear technology. Discussions centred on how AI could accelerate research and development, optimize processes, and bridge gaps in scaling innovations to the industry. The Panellists highlighted the need for enhanced educational programs to equip the next generation with the interdisciplinary skills required to integrate AI with nuclear science, ensuring sustainable and impactful applications. These insights underscored the importance of fostering collaboration between academia, industry, and policymakers in shaping the future of nuclear technology.

About the Author

Maria Zelda “Marizel” Rojas is a Board Member of the United Nations Correspondents Association Vienna (UNCAV), Chairperson of the European Network of Filipino Diaspora-Austria (ENFiD-Austria) and a current Board Member of ENFiD, President of the Bikol Society Austria (BSA), 1^st Vice President-Elect of the United Nations Women’s Guild (UNWG), Founding Member and former President of the Philippine Austrian Cultural and Educational Society (PACES), Adviser and former President of the Vienna International Centre Club Filipino (VIC CF), Auditor for the Vienna International Centre Gastronomy Club (VIC GC), Liaison for the Philippines and Councillor in the European Police Association (EPA), and a member of the Filipina Women’s Network (FWN), which honoured her with the prestigious “Most Influential Filipina Women in the World” (Global FWN100™) award in 2019.