18 NOVEMBER 2025, VIENNA – The Philippines highlighted the importance of technical cooperation in pursuing socioeconomic developments for Member States during the Board of Governors’ Technical Assistance and Cooperation Committee (TACC) of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) last 17-18 November 2025 in Vienna, Austria. 

The Philippines urged Member States not to lose sight of TACC’s core mandate of ensuring that the Technical Cooperation Programme remains needs-based, balanced, and responsive to the people who rely on nuclear applications. Ambassador and Permanent Representative Evangelina A. Bernas commended the ongoing evaluation of technical cooperation activities by IAEA’s Office for Internal Oversight Services (OIOS) and stressed scaling up pilot successes and supporting the realization of benefits from nuclear applications. “When nuclear applications show clear value, it is essential that their benefits should, where appropriate, be extended sustainably,” said Ambassador Bernas. 

The Philippines expressed appreciation for IAEA’s technical cooperation which supports the country’s national development goals. The Philippines and IAEA have identified five (5) priority areas where the transfer of nuclear technology and technical resources will be directed. These areas include nuclear and radiation safety and security and radioactive waste management; food and agriculture; natural resources and environment; human health and nutrition; and energy and industry.

The Philippines announced its hosting of the International High-Level Forum on NUTEC Plastics from 25 to 26 November 2025 in Manila. This initiative reaffirmed the Philippines’ commitment to achieving Sustainable Development Goals and amplifying technical cooperation investments to benefit broader communities. 

The TACC is the main body overseeing the Agency’s Technical Cooperation Programme, the main vehicle through which the IAEA delivers nuclear technology and capacity-building services to its Member States. END.