Dr. Toukan presented a summary of the achievements, represented by the Jordanian nuclear reactor for research and training, and pointed to the direction of introducing neutron grafting technology for high-purity silicon crystals, which contributes to establishing Jordan's position as a regional center for the production of semiconductor materials. He praised the scientific role of the SESAME Center, noting the accession of Germany and Italy this year as participating members, and the Center's possession of six operational radiation lines in advanced research fields.
In the field of uranium, he explained that the Jordanian Uranium Mining Company produced 150 kg of yellow cake after processing 1,500 tons of ore in its pioneering factory, with the aspiration to transition to commercial production of up to 600 tons annually through strategic partnerships with specialized global companies. Regarding nuclear power reactors, he confirmed the continuation of technical evaluation and economic feasibility studies for a number of small modular reactor (SMR) designs for electricity generation and water desalination. He appreciated the Agency's support for Jordan through the Technical Cooperation Program, particularly the 'Rays of Hope' initiative, which contributed to equipping Al-Bashir Hospital and the University of Jordan Hospital with PET/CT devices.
At the conclusion of his speech, Dr. Toukan emphasized the importance of promoting peaceful uses of nuclear energy, supporting the non-proliferation and nuclear disarmament system, and stressed the necessity of Israel joining the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons and subjecting its facilities to the Agency's comprehensive safeguards system, affirming Jordan's appreciation for the Agency's role as an international platform for cooperation in the peaceful uses of nuclear energy.
The Jordanian delegation met with the Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency, His Excellency Mr. Rafael Grossi, to discuss expanding cooperation between the Jordanian Atomic Energy Commission and the relevant departments in the Agency to support the Jordanian nuclear program. Dr. Toukan thanked the Agency for its great support, reviewed Jordan's efforts to develop the research reactor to expand the production of radioactive isotopes, alongside plans to introduce small modular reactors for electricity generation and water desalination, and to proceed with commercial-level uranium production, affirming that Jordan is close to making strategic decisions in nuclear energy applications and water desalination. For his part, Mr. Rafael Grossi expressed the continued support of the International Atomic Energy Agency for Jordan, the importance of preparing a national plan to combat cancer, and recommended taking advantage of the Agency's uranium production cycle review and evaluation mission to develop uranium projects in member states. He confirmed his follow-up on the research reactor and radioactive isotope production projects, noting that Jordan represents a successful model of fruitful cooperation with the Agency.
During the conference, the Jordanian delegation met separately with the Deputy Directors General of the Agency, including the Deputy Director General for Nuclear Applications, the Deputy Director General for Technical Cooperation, and the Deputy Director General for Nuclear Energy, who expressed their great satisfaction with the prospects of cooperation between the Agency and Jordan, their readiness to support the efforts made by the Jordanian side, and the adoption of Jordan as a leading country in the region and a specialized training platform in the peaceful uses of atomic energy.
On the sidelines of the General Conference, Dr. Toukan participated in a side event titled 'Nuclear Threat Initiative' and the signing of a framework for the Asia-Pacific Research Reactor Network. The Jordanian Ambassador to the Agency, Mr. Mohammad Hindawi, also participated in an event titled 'Enhancing Global Cancer Patient Care,' which focused on the most prominent achievements of the reference centers of the 'Rays of Hope' initiative, noting that the King Hussein Cancer Center is one of the first centers to be accredited by this initiative.
During the General Conference, the Jordanian delegation met with several international official and private entities, in addition to holding several meetings with experts from the International Atomic Energy Agency to strengthen bilateral cooperation with these entities.
The Jordanian delegation included His Excellency Mr. Mohammad Hindawi, the Jordanian Ambassador to Austria and to the Agency, Ms. Abeer Al-Jamal, Second Secretary at the Embassy, Mr. Abdulrahman Al-Azaila, and Ms. Sara Al-Mashaba, an attaché at the Embassy, and Mr. Mahmoud Assaf, the technical attaché at the Embassy.
