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Forum for Nuclear Cooperation in Asia (FNCA)
Joint Communiqueon the New Direction of the FNCA
adopted at the 21st MLM, held virtually on December 10, 2020
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,
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 andtechnology 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,
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Noting the impact on FNCA project activities during the year 2020 of the COVID-19 pandemic
across the world,
Welcoming the initiative proposed by IAEA Director General Grossi to establish the Zoonotic
Disease Integrated Action (ZODIAC) project to strengthen the capacity of Member States incombating zoonotic diseases through the use of nuclear and nuclear-derived techniques and theAgency’s network of international research institutions,
Recognizing the importance of cooperation with nuclear international organizations such as theIAEA and the OECD/NEA, and other relevant national organizations
Appreciating the progress of the FNCA project activities in agriculture, industry, medicine andenvironment, and commending the winners of the 4th FNCA Awards 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 to promptly normalize FNCA project activities and the several regular meetings in
response to the constraints brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic while ensuring the safety ofthe project researchers and participants as a prerequisite and subject to national health policies,
Request the coordinators to conduct the CDM for coordination to proceed with the existing projects
and evaluate the new project proposals by making the best use of virtual means such as online
meetings where appropriate,2.

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

Anticipating that the IAEA will strengthen its coordination with the relevant international2別添３

organizations including the WHO without duplicating existing mandates in combating zoonotic
diseases including COVID-19, explore possible collaboration between the FNCA and the IAEA onthe ZODIAC project in the future when the role and responsibility of the IAEA have been clearly
defined in such cooperation,
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 Meeting to enhance cancer therapy with radiation technology in the Asian region,
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

Encourage the member countries to reinforce their cooperation in the issues of environmental
protection and the countermeasures to climate change including the adoption of “Nuclear Isotopic
Technology and Climate Change” as the topic of the 2021 Study Panel,
5.

Enhance the practical use of R&D results in agricultural and industrial production

Adopt “The Enhancement of Utilization of Research Reactors and Accelerators” as the topic of theRound Table Discussion of 22nd FNCA Ministerial Level Meeting,
Encourage the member countries, to utilize the outcomes of projects on mutation breeding,radiation processing, research reactor utilization, isotope production and neutron activation
analysis with end-users, including the private sector, taking into account the possibility of theircommercialization, which can more effectively contribute to the member countries’ socio-economic
well-being,
6.

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 and3

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human 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,
7.

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 webinar
and/or online workshops where appropriate,
8. Enhancement of public communication and public relations functions, and relationship withinternational institutions
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 the IAEA and the OECD/NEA.

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