Dr. Salem Hamdi, Director General of the Arab Atomic Energy Agency (AAEA), called on Friday for intensified joint efforts to keep pace with scientific and technological developments in the region and to work towards achieving sustainable development for Arab nations.

The AAEA stated in a press release that this came during the closing of the 75th regular session of its Executive Council in Hammamet, Tunisia - a three-day meeting that coincided with the 37th regular session of its General Conference. The meetings were attended by Executive Council members from member states, along with Assistant Secretary-General of the Arab League Abdelrahman Belhout, representing the Department of Arab Organizations and Unions.

Dr. Hamdi presented to the Executive Council members the Agency's achievements since the previous session, including:

• Implementation of 12 training and scientific activities with broad specialist participation

• Participation in six joint meetings with the Arab League and International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)

He also presented the Agency's future strategy and frameworks for enhanced cooperation among member states in peaceful atomic energy applications.

Dr. Hamdi highlighted AAEA's efforts to:

1. Establish an Arab training center for nuclear power plants in cooperation with IAEA

2. Advance the Arab Nuclear Fusion Energy Initiative, which received preliminary IAEA approval

For his part, Executive Council Chairman and Libyan Minister Plenipotentiary Bashir Abu Zahir emphasized:

• The importance of peaceful atomic energy applications

• Their pivotal role in supporting human, health and environmental development in the Arab region

• The need to further develop peaceful nuclear applications

Mr. Belhout expressed the Arab League's continued support for AAEA's work, stressing:

• The necessity of benefiting from peaceful nuclear applications due to their significant economic benefits

• The strategic role of atomic energy in enhancing regional economic and scientific development

The Executive Council's agenda included discussions and decisions aimed at:

• Strengthening Arab cooperation and integration in peaceful nuclear applications

• Supporting sustainable development

• Enhancing member states' capabilities in this vital field

The meeting witnessed broad attendance and active participation from Arab representatives, who affirmed their commitment to developing joint Arab work in atomic energy to serve regional development goals.