International body recognizes Cuban efforts to foster nuclear science and technologies

HAVANA, Cuba, May 25 (ACN) The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) recognized Cuba's results at the head of the Technical Coordination Body (OCTA by its Spanish acronym), of the Regional Cooperation Agreement for the Promotion of Nuclear Science and Technology in Latin America and the Caribbean (ARCAL by its Spanish acronym).

Luis Longoria Gandara, director of the Latin America and Caribbean division of the IAEA's technical cooperation department, was in charge of the congratulation when he spoke at the 22nd meeting of OCTA, which was held virtually due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Longoria Gandara referred in particular to the scope of Cuban management in the fight and control of the severe acute respiratory syndrome SARS-CoV-2 which causes the contagious and lethal disease, informed the Nuclear Communicators Network (RECNUC by its Spanish acronym) referring to a segment of his speech at the two-day meeting, which offered details of its agenda.

Following the appointment of the new OCTA Board of Directors, Gladys Lopez Bejerano, Cuban national coordinator and president of OCTA for two years, concluded her functions and handed over to Susana Gonzalez, Peruvian national coordinator, who proceeded to direct the deliberations.

The Cuban mandate began in 2019 and ended with a successful management in the middle of COVID-19 and from now on Cuba assumes as Secretary and Chile as Vice President, both for the same period.

The agenda of the first day included the presentation of the Secretariat's Report on the execution of the ARCAL Program during 2020 and an update on the Technical Cooperation Program for Latin America and the Caribbean, 2020-2021 and 2022-2023.

According to statistics, 128 countries and territories have received assistance from the IAEA, including 32 from Latin America and the Caribbean; 286 laboratories and institutions have received kits composed of real-time RT-PCR detectors, one of the most widely used and accurate laboratory methods for identification, sample preparation equipment, consumables, probes, biosafety cabinets and personal protective equipment.

ARCAL was founded in 1984 from an initiative of 10 Latin American and Caribbean countries submitted to the IAEA and since then promotes the establishment and development of technical cooperation in general.

Its actions include horizontal cooperation among member countries in technology transfer, in order to promote the use of nuclear techniques and their peaceful applications in six strategic areas: Food Safety, Human Health, Environment, Energy, Radiation Safety and Radiation Technology.