In meeting with IAEA chief, FM Dar seeks financing for nuclear energy projects

• Dar lauds IAEA’s role in peaceful uses of nuclear technology.
• Pakistan attached great importance to IAEA’s work, says Dar.
• Grossi hails Pakistan for sharing experience with developing states.

BRUSSELS: Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar on Thursday stressed that the international financial institutions and banks should support nuclear energy projects in developing countries to enable them to meet their energy needs and achieve zero emissions goals.

Dar made the remarks during his meeting with International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Director General (DG) Rafael Mariano Grossi on the sidelines of the Nuclear Energy Summit in Brussels.

He appreciated the IAEA’s role in enhancing peaceful uses of nuclear technology and for organising the first-ever nuclear energy summit. The minister highlighted that as a founder member, Pakistan attached great importance to the agency’s work.

Dar also highlighted the importance of nuclear energy in combating climate change and Pakistan’s desire to enhance share of nuclear energy in the energy mix.

He also underscored the importance of technical cooperation work of the UN nuclear watchdog to which Pakistan is also making significant contribution. 

The minister urged IAEA to continue its role in sensitising the world about the importance of nuclear energy as a clean source.

The DG IAEA appreciated Pakistan’s collaboration with the agency. He added that in Asia, Pakistan is playing a key role in sharing experience and expertise with developing countries.

He agreed that financing of nuclear projects was an issue and that he would soon engage with international financial institutions to resolve the issue. 

The DG recalled his visit to Pakistan last year, when he had the first-hand experience of visiting Pakistan’s facilities and witnessing Pakistan’s progress in the field of peaceful applications of nuclear technology.