Guyana to enhance radiation safety capabilities

Prime Minister, Brigadier (Ret’d) Mark Phillips, met on Monday with a representative of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Ms. Saskia Frater Smith, to discuss strengthening the country’s radiation emergency response capabilities and enhancing its national framework for radiation safety and security.
The meeting, which took place at the Office of the Prime Minister on Camp Street, focused on key areas, including Guyana’s draft National Emergency Plan, additional support from the IAEA for programme assistance, and national training initiatives.
Frater, who serves as the Programme Management Officer at the IAEA, along with the local team, also discussed policy and legislative development for radiation protection regulations, as well as coordination among intergovernmental agencies to ensure a robust radiation safety framework. This is according to an update posted on the Prime Minister’s Facebook page.
The post further highlighted that Prime Minister Phillips reaffirmed Guyana’s commitment to working closely with the IAEA, emphasising the continued involvement of the Civil Defence Commission (CDC) in matters of radiation safety and security as the country advances its developmental agenda.
The IAEA, often referred to as the “Atoms for Peace” organisation within the United Nations system, serves as the world’s central intergovernmental forum for scientific and technical cooperation in the nuclear field. It promotes the safe, secure, and peaceful use of nuclear technology.
The agency supports its member states in harnessing nuclear science and technology for various peaceful applications, including electricity generation, medical advancements, and agricultural innovation.