The Director of the Vinča Institute, Dr. Slavko Dimović, participated as a member of the delegation of the Republic of Serbia at the Ministerial Conference on Nuclear Science, Technology, and Applications, held in Vienna from November 26 to 28, 2024. The event was organized by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).
The Serbian delegation, led by the State Secretary of the Ministry of Science, Technological Development, and Innovation, Mr. Vukašin Grozdić, included prominent representatives of scientific research institutions and relevant organizations.
The conference brought together ministers and high-ranking officials from IAEA Member States, focusing on the role of nuclear science and technology in addressing global challenges such as healthcare, food safety and security, water resource management, and climate change. A particular emphasis was placed on aligning nuclear technology with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
During the conference, four new IAEA initiatives were introduced, integrating nuclear technology into solutions for key global issues:
- Atoms4Food – to enhance food safety and security,
- NUTEC Plastics – to combat plastic pollution,
- Rays of Hope – to support radiotherapy and cancer treatment,
- ZODIAC – for integrated action against zoonotic diseases.
The conference, structured into four thematic segments – food security, climate change, health, and water resource management – fostered the exchange of best practices, innovations, and strategies to address these challenges.
Participants highlighted the importance of international cooperation and the application of nuclear technology to improve quality of life and promote sustainable development. In his contributions, Dr. Slavko Dimović emphasized the role of the Vinča Institute of Nuclear Sciences in advancing nuclear science in Serbia and its contributions to global initiatives.
