IAEA: Monaco Reaffirms its Commitment to Harnessing Nuclear Science for Health and the Environment

From 14 to 18 September 2026, a Monegasque delegation*, led by Isabelle ROSABRUNETTO, Director General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, took part in the 70th General Conference** of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in Vienna. Monaco’s participation provided an opportunity to reaffirm the Principality’s longstanding commitment to harnessing nuclear science to improve access to cancer prevention and treatment and to protect the marine environment.

As part of the Conference, the Monegasque delegation took part in the 2026 Scientific Forum, which focused on the Rays of Hope initiative. On 16 September, the Principality of Monaco and IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano GROSSI signed an agreement in support of the initiative. The agreement is intended to strengthen the Principality’s long-term support for access to radiotherapy in countries where it remains insufficiently available.

On environmental issues, the delegation highlighted the role of the IAEA Marine Environment Laboratories, based in the Principality since 1961, in monitoring marine plastic pollution under the NUTEC Plastics initiative and in coordinating the international ALMERA network, dedicated to monitoring environmental radioactivity. Monaco will host the network’s annual meeting in November 2026.

Ms ROSABRUNETTO also announced that, from 2027, the IAEA will have access to larger premises, enabling it to further enhance its activities in the Principality.

Turning to conflict situations, she underscored the Principality’s commitment to the IAEA’s mandate and commended the Agency’s efforts in the areas of nuclear safety and security, international safeguards and the safety of nuclear facilities, particularly in Ukraine.

Monaco’s participation in the 70th General Conference thus reaffirmed its longstanding commitment to the peaceful uses of nuclear science and technology, in support of human health and environmental protection.

* The Monegasque delegation comprised Isabelle ROSABRUNETTO, Director General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation; H.E. Lorenzo RAVANO, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Monaco to the IAEA; and Tatiana el KHOURY, Third Secretary at the Embassy of Monaco in Germany.

** The General Conference sets the framework for the IAEA’s work in the year ahead and adopts resolutions on nuclear safety and security, verification and safeguards, as well as the Agency’s activities relating to the peaceful uses of nuclear science and technology.