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I have talked about our efforts to combat the misuse of nuclear energy. Let me now tell you how this very same energy is used for the benefit of humankind. At the IAEA, we work daily on every continent to put nuclear and radiation techniques in the service of humankind. In Vietnam, farmers plant rice with greater nutritional value that was developed with IAEA assistance. Throughout Latin America, nuclear technology is being used to map underground aquifers, so that water supplies can be managed sustainably. In Ghana, a new radiotherapy machine is offering cancer treatment to thousands of patients. In the South Pacific, Japanese scientists are using nuclear techniques to study climate change. In India, eight new nuclear plants are under construction, to provide clean electricity for a growing nation - a case in point of the rising expectation for a surge in the use of nuclear energy worldwide. These projects, and a thousand others, exemplify the IAEA ideal: Atoms for Peace. But the expanding use of nuclear energy and technology also makes it crucial that nuclear safety and security are maintained at the highest level.

Mohamed ElBaradei#27

PeaceDevelopmentEnergyHealthTechnology

About this quote

What does it mean?
Nuclear technology benefits humankind through agriculture, water management, medicine, and energy.
In plain terms
Nuclear tech helps with farming, water, cancer treatment, and power.
What can you take from it?
Nuclear energy has peaceful applications that improve lives.

Where it applies

  • agricultural planning
  • healthcare
  • energy policy

Putting it to work

  • promote peaceful nuclear tech
  • invest in research
  • share knowledge

Questions to consider

  • How can peaceful uses be communicated better?
  • What risks accompany these benefits?

Another view

Benefits may be overshadowed by risks or public fear.

More from Mohamed ElBaradei

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  2. Since the Chernobyl accident, we have worked all over the globe to raise nuclear safety performance. And since the September 2001 terrorist attacks, we have wo…

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  3. Whether one believes in evolution, intelligent design, or Divine Creation, one thing is certain. Since the beginning of history, human beings have been at war …

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