`Forum for Nuclear Cooperation in Asia (FNCA)
Joint Communiqueon the New Direction of the FNCA
adopted at the 22nd MLM, held virtually on December 9, 2021
We, the heads of delegation of countries participating in the FNCA: the Commonwealth of Australia,
the People’s Republic of Bangladesh, the People’s Republic of China, the Republic of Indonesia,
Japan, the Republic of Kazakhstan, the Republic of Korea, Malaysia, Mongolia, the Republic of thePhilippines, the Kingdom of Thailand and the Socialist Republic of Vietnam,
Recalling that the FNCA’s objective is to promote social and economic development through active
regional partnerships for the peaceful and safe utilization of nuclear technology, and that R&D,
knowledge, information sharing and capacity building are, inter alia, the main roles and activities ofthe FNCA, which will lead to social and economic well-being of the member countries,
Noting that nuclear energy can contribute to energy security, access to baseload power andreducing and/or avoiding emissions of greenhouse gas as stated in the Communique of the G20
Ministerial meeting on Energy Transitions and Global Environment for Sustainable Growth in June2019,
Acknowledging the potential of radiation technology and related FNCA projects in areas such assustainable agricultural development; food safety; eco-friendly industrial development, mitigationof the effects of climate change; and conservation of natural ecosystems,
Noting the need for reinforcing cooperation among the member countries on the issues ofenvironmental protection and the countermeasures to climate change, which was recognized anew
through the discussion on the topic of “Nuclear Isotopic Technology and Climate Change” in the2021 Study Panel in March 2021,
Appreciating the progress made by the FNCA clinical research project in radiation therapy and theassociated ongoing clinical trials for cervical, nasopharyngeal, and breast cancer, as well as theimportance of technical cooperation and interaction between industry and academia with respect
to radiation therapy equipment and related cutting-edge technology,
Recognizing the difficulties in securing required human resources in the nuclear science and1

technology field arising from an ageing workforce,
Recognizing the importance of research reactors and their application for the development ofmember countries including in neutron activation analysis (NAA), boron neutron capture therapy(BNCT), neutron radiography (NR), material studies and radioisotope production,
Noting that the member countries agreed on the program of project activities in and after 2021,
which had stagnated due to the worldwide spread of the COVID-19 pandemic during the year of2020, at the 21st Coordinators Meeting held virtually in June 2021 for their full-fledged resumption
on the wane of the pandemic, and that it has commenced by holding workshop meetings including
virtual meetings,
Welcoming the initiative by IAEA to have commenced the Zoonotic Disease Integrated Action(ZODIAC) project to strengthen the capacity of Member States in combating zoonotic diseases
through the use of nuclear and nuclear-derived techniques and the Agency’s network ofinternational research institutions,Recognizing the importance of cooperation with nuclear international organizations such as theIAEA, OECD/NEA, IFNEC and other relevant national organizations
Appreciating the progress of the FNCA project activities in agriculture, industry, medicine andenvironment, and commending the winners of the FNCA Breakthrough Prizes for their outstandingachievements,Welcoming the continuous efforts being made by the IAEA to advance the safe and peacefulutilization of nuclear science and technology for the development of the socio-economic well-beingof the world,
We have decided to work towards:

1.

The normalization of FNCA project activities and regular meetings

Maximise efforts continuously to normalize promptly FNCA project activities and the several regularmeetings in response to the constraints brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic while ensuring
2the safety of the project researchers and participants as a prerequisite and subject to the national
health policies of the respective member countries ,Request the coordinators to proceed with the existing and the new projects by making the best useof virtual means such as online meetings where appropriate under the current circumstances,2.

Future cooperation between the FNCA and the IAEA in the area of human health

Anticipating that the IAEA will make necessary coordination with the relevant internationalorganizations including the WHO and FAO without duplicating existing mandates in combating
zoonotic diseases including COVID-19, explore possible collaboration between the FNCA and theIAEA on the ZODIAC project in the future,3.

Promotion of cancer treatments with radiation technology in Asia

Accelerating the FNCA project in the member countries according to the policy established by theproject leaders and endorsed by the member countries during the Round Table Discussion in the2019 Ministerial Level Meeting to enhance cancer therapy with radiation technology in the Asianregion,
Continue and intensify the efforts also through the cooperation with the relevant internationalorganizations to develop and disseminate innovative technology related to radiation therapy,
4.

Cooperate in addressing issues of environmental protection and countermeasures to climatechange

In view of frequent occurrence of extreme weather worldwide in the recent years, encourage themember countries to reinforce their cooperation on the issues of environmental protection and thecountermeasures to climate change, and proceed with the projects related to climate change
continuously,
5.

Enhance the practical use of research reactors and accelerators

In accordance with the discussion on “The Enhancement of Utilization of Research Reactors andAccelerators” at the Round Table Discussion of the 22nd FNCA Ministerial Level Meeting, promote
information exchange with respect to research reactors and accelerators as well as the reciprocal
3

usage of the facilities among the member countries,
6.

Spread of the R&D results

Encourage the member countries to utilize the outcomes of projects on mutation breeding, radiation
processing, research reactor utilization, isotope production and neutron activation analysis withend-users, including the private sector, taking into account the possibility of their commercialization,
which can more effectively contribute to the member countries’ socio-economic well-being,
7. Enhancement of public communication, public relations functions and cooperation with
relevant international institutions
Adopt “Building up public trust on nuclear science and technology” as the topic for discussion at
2022 Study Panel to share knowledge and good practices among the member countries, and put
their learnings to good use for their building up public trust on their relevant activities,
Continue to promote public communication to raise an awareness of, and build public trust in,nuclear technology through the public relations functions of the FNCA such as its website and open
lectures in the member countries, and make efforts to further reinforce the relationships with
relevant international institutions including IAEA, OECD/NEA and IFNEC,
8.

Other areas and activities to be promoted

Promote activities related to the applications of nuclear science and technology, particularly insustainable agriculture development and food security, environmental protection, medical care andhuman health, and infrastructure development for nuclear safety and security culture, byaccelerating existing R&D areas, and by adopting possible future R&D areas to support theirsustainable development,
9.

Cooperation in HRD of the nuclear technology and science field

Activate organizational exchange of human resources among universities and research institutions,and of information related to the reinforcement of HRD infrastructure in accordance with theindividual demand and situation of the member countries by utilizing virtual means such as
webinars and/or online workshops where appropriate,4