Thailand Participates in the 70th IAEA General Conference and Advances the Peaceful Uses of Nuclear Technology and Cooperation for Development
From 14–18 September 2026, the Thai delegation, led by Ms. Pattarat Hongtong, Ambassador and Resident Representative of Thailand to the IAEA, together with representatives from the Office of Atoms for Peace (OAP), the Thailand Institute of Nuclear Technology (TINT), and the Faculty of Medicine Ramathibodi Hospital, participated in the 70th Session of the General Conference of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA GC70) in Vienna.
The General Conference is the IAEA’s principal annual forum for Member States to consider and provide direction on the Agency’s work, including nuclear safety, security and safeguards, as well as the promotion of the peaceful uses of nuclear science and technology for development. This year’s Conference brought together representatives from 160 countries. On the occasion of its 70th session, 95 Member States, including Thailand, supported a joint statement reflecting on the IAEA’s development over the years and reaffirming their commitment to the role and mandate of the Agency amid an increasingly complex and challenging international environment.
At the Conference, Thailand delivered its national statement, reaffirming its commitment to supporting the IAEA’s mandate and highlighting Thailand–IAEA cooperation in harnessing nuclear technology for development, as well as Thailand’s support for the Agency’s efforts in addressing various global challenges.
The Scientific Forum held during GC70 this year focused on “Rays of Hope: Delivering on the Promise of Cancer Care,” highlighting the use of nuclear technology to help reduce disparities in access to cancer diagnosis and treatment worldwide. Thailand has contributed concretely to this objective through the Ramathibodi–IAEA Rays of Hope Anchor Centre, the first Anchor Centre in Southeast Asia. The Director of the Ramathibodi–IAEA Rays of Hope Anchor Centre was also invited to share Thailand’s experience as a speaker at the Scientific Forum.
In addition, Thailand and Jordan jointly organized a side event entitled “Strengthening Regional Cancer Care through IAEA Rays of Hope Anchor Centres: Advancing Capacity Building and Sustainable Partnerships in Asia-Pacific.” Attended by more than 80 participants, the event promoted stronger networks and capacity-building for cancer care across the Asia-Pacific region. Representatives of Thai agencies also held discussions and explored further cooperation with the IAEA and international partners in the areas of nuclear technology, research and medicine.
GC70 also marked the completion of Thailand’s 2024–2026 term on the IAEA Board of Governors. Over the past two years, Thailand has contributed constructively to the Board’s consideration of key issues within the IAEA’s mandate at a time when international tensions have increasingly affected nuclear safety and security in several regions. At the same time, Thailand has continued to support technical cooperation and broader access to the benefits of nuclear technology for peaceful purposes.
While Thailand’s term on the Board of Governors has concluded, Thailand will continue to work closely with the IAEA and its Member States to promote the safe, secure and peaceful uses of nuclear science and technology for the benefit of the Thai people, national development and the wider international community.
