Peaceful Nuclear Projects underway in Latin America

Peaceful Nuclear Projects underway in Latin AmericaPanama, May 24. -The Regional Agreement for Technical Cooperation for the Promotion of Nuclear Science (ARCAL) has carried out 72 projects in Latin America and the Caribbean, ARCAL secretary general Juan Antonio Casas said Monday.

Casas is also Director of the International Atomic Energy Agency's (IAEA) Technical Cooperation Division for Latin America, and he added that since 1984, 133 million dollars have been invested to promote nuclear energy with peaceful objectives.

Casas provided details on the organization's work in his inaugural speech at the 12th ARCAL Conference that will run throughout this week at the Vasco Nuñez de Balboa Convention Center in Panama, with the attendance of representatives of the 19 member countries and Spain.

He also said that one of the objectives is to achieve and promote a deep knowledge about the nature and reach of this agreement, which represents a great example of cooperation in the region.

In the 27 years since its creation ARCAL has attained an excellent record in the implementation of its agreements related to sustainable development, the environment, radiological security, agriculture, food security and transference of nuclear technology in the public health field.

One of the objectives of the meeting in Panama is to look for ways to maintain the rhythm of work during the last two years and to gain greater recognition.

ARCAL's work is supported by the IAEA, whose program makes it possible for the countries with the greatest advances in the nuclear area to contribute to the transference of technology to those with less development in this field.

The organization was created in 1984 with 10 countries. Now, there are 20, including Spain with a special status.

The member countries are: Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Jamaica, Haiti, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panamá, Paraguay, Peru, Dominican Republic, Uruguay and Venezuela.

This is the opening ceremony of the event, under the sponsorship of the Ministry of Economy and Finances, and the participation of Panamanian First Lady Marta Linares de Martinelli. (Prensa Latina)