和平利用倡议—当前和未来项目一瞥

Strengthening Africa’s regional capacity for the diagnosis of emerging or re-emerging zoonotic diseases, including Ebola virus disease

Duration: 2015 to 2019
Estimated budget: €5.8 million

In the wake of the largest and most complex outbreak of Ebola virus disease in early 2014 in West Africa, the international community recognized Africa’s need for support in developing regional capacities to manage emerging and re-emerging zoonotic diseases — diseases that can pass from animals to humans, and that, without proper management, can lead to regional and global epidemics.

This four-year project sets out to strengthen Africa’s regional capacities with mechanisms for early detection and strategies for sharing related diagnostic and epidemiological information within a regional network. The project aims to provide training, expert guidance, and infrastructure development for the implementation of a monitoring, tracing and surveillance system, including diagnostic equipment.

For more information, see the PUI proposal to support activities related to enhancing capacity of national monitoring teams for diagnosis of Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) under high bio-safety conditions.

From the laboratories to the global community: Renovation of the Nuclear Applications Laboratories (ReNuAL)

Duration: 2014 to 2017
Estimated budget: €31 million

For over 50 years, eight nuclear applications laboratories in Seibersdorf, Austria, have provided specialized training, support in research and development, and analytical services to assist Member States in using nuclear science and technology to address their national needs and to tackle global challenges, from animal production and health to nuclear science and analytical techniques. But without a significant upgrade since their establishment in 1962, the laboratories are no longer able to fulfil their functions in responding to the growing and evolving needs of Member States.

This project, known as ReNuAL, commenced on 1 January 2014 and consists of new building construction, the modernization of existing buildings, infrastructure upgrades and the acquisition of new laboratory equipment to replace ageing or obsolete instruments.

For more information, see A Need for ReNuAL.

Strengthening nuclear power infrastructure development

Duration: 2011 to 2015, with a possible follow-up project from 2016 to 2020
Estimated budget: €1.5 million

Approximately 30 countries are now considering nuclear power as part of their energy mixes or have already decided to start a nuclear power programme. As countries evaluate this option or have already embarked on developing a nuclear power programme, they look to the IAEA for guidance and support.

This project sets out to further strengthen and develop guidance documents, methodologies and review services, as well as to create opportunities for sharing experiences and lessons learned. The project aims to assist and guide newcomers countries, particularly low and middle income (LMI) countries, to develop safe and sustainable nuclear power infrastructures. This project is funded through the PUI and, in some cases, complementary activities are financed through the Technical Cooperation Fund.

For more information, see IAEA Department of Nuclear Energy.

Cancer control capacity assessment and evaluation

Duration: Ongoing
Estimated budget for 2015: €450 000

Cancer cases are on a significant rise globally, with LMI countries often ill-equipped to effectively manage the burden of the disease and respond to the needs of patients. As countries increasingly prioritize cancer care and control, many are turning to the IAEA Programme of Action for Cancer Therapy (PACT) and the Integrated Missions of PACT (imPACT). The imPACT review missions assesses a country’s national cancer control capacities within a comprehensive approach to cancer control, and provide recommendations on how to address identified gaps and further develop their capabilities to tackle the disease.

PUI funds have supported imPACT missions to 26 Member States since 2010. The majority of these have been to LMI countries. This has helped these countries to, among others, develop national cancer control plans and programmes, and pave the way to establish national cancer care facilities equipped with diagnostic and treatment equipment as well as an adequate workforce of trained specialists. In 2015, there are plans for imPACT Review missions to six Member States.

For more information, see Programme of Action for Cancer Therapy (PACT).

(This article was published in the IAEA Bulletin, in March 2015)