By Dionne Best
BRIDGETOWN, Barbados – Ambassador of Barbados to Austria and the United Nations Organizations in Vienna, Matthew Wilson, has signed the 2026-2031 Country Programme Framework (CPF) with the International Atomic Energy Agency’s (IAEA) deputy director-general, Hua Liu.
The Country Programme Framework, which was signed on Tuesday, June 24, was developed through broad consultations with national stakeholders representing key ministries, public institutions and technical agencies. It includes the identification of national priorities and potential applications of nuclear technology for equitable development outcomes.
This is the first CPF developed since Barbados became a member state of the IAEA in 2015. The Framework defines priority development needs and areas for technical cooperation in line with Barbados’ priorities in the areas of health and energy.
The CPF identifies five thematic areas of cooperation, which were prioritised based on national needs, existing capacities and opportunities to strengthen infrastructure and build human capital. The areas are:
- Nuclear and Radiation Safety and Nuclear Security;
- Human Health;
- Food and Agriculture;
- Water and the Environment;
- Energy and Industry.
This CPF 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.
Ambassador Wilson thanked the IAEA for its ongoing 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.”
The collaboration with Barbados and the IAEA will be led by the ministry of health and wellness, where Barbados’ national liaison officer is anchored.