Dar seeks IFIs support for nuclear energy projects in developing countries

BRUSSELS: Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar Thursday stressed that international financial institutions (IFIs) and banks should support nuclear energy projects in developing countries to enable them to meet their energy needs and achieve zero emissions goal.

Dar made these remarks during his meeting with International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Director General (DG) Rafael Mariano Grossi on the sidelines of the Nuclear Energy Summit here. He appreciated the IAEA’s role in enhancing peaceful uses of nuclear technology and for organising the first-ever nuclear energy summit.

The minister highlighted that as a founder member, Pakistan attached great importance to the agency’s work. He also highlighted the importance of nuclear energy in combating climate change and Pakistan’s desire to enhance share of nuclear energy in the energy mix.

He also underscored the importance of technical cooperation work of the UN nuclear watchdog to which Pakistan was also making significant contribution.

The minister urged the IAEA to continue its role in sensitising the world to the importance of nuclear energy as a clean source.

The DG IAEA appreciated Pakistan’s collaboration with the agency and said it was playing a key role in sharing experience and expertise with the developing countries. He agreed that the financing of nuclear projects was an issue and that he would soon engage with the international financial institutions to resolve the issue.

The DG recalled his visit to Pakistan last year, when he had the first-hand experience of visiting Pakistan’s facilities and witnessing Pakistan’s progress in the field of peaceful applications of nuclear technology.

Meanwhile, representing Pakistan at the first Nuclear Energy Summit here, Dar said it was imperative to promote cheap energy sources and environment-friendly nuclear energy was the main need of the future. He said the world today needed clean and cheap energy and there was no better option than the nuclear energy.

The foreign minister said energy security was an important priority for developed and developing countries. He said Pakistan was ready to share its experiences with the world for the peaceful purposes of nuclear energy.

The foreign minister Thursday also met with Foreign Minister of Azerbaijan Jeyhun Bayramov on the margins of the summit. The two sides exchanged views on prospects of cooperation in the fields of economy, transport and communication and on preparatory work for climate summit in Azerbaijan and post-conflict regional situation.

The Azeri minister in a post said, “On the sidelines of NES2024, I congratulated M Ishaq Dar, Foreign Minister of brotherly Pakistan on his appointment & wish best of success in his endeavors. During our interaction, we covered various regional & international issues of mutual interest & preparations.”