Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali hosted International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi in Addis Ababa for comprehensive discussions aimed at bolstering the IAEA’s crucial support for Ethiopia. The meeting took place on the sidelines of the “Rays of Hope Forum,” an IAEA initiative, scheduled to be held at the African Union Headquarters from June 30 to July 1, 2025.
Prime Minister Abiy, in a social media post following his meeting with Mr. Grossi, highlighted the extensive scope of the IAEA’s assistance to Ethiopia. “Our discussion focused on ongoing assistance and opportunities for future collaboration,” Abiy stated. He elaborated that the IAEA’s support spans a wide range of vital sectors within the country, including enhancing cancer care capabilities through medical imaging, nuclear medicine, and radiotherapy; improving veterinary health for livestock; supporting tsetse eradication efforts to combat vector-borne diseases; fostering advancements in nuclear engineering; and strengthening regulatory frameworks for safe and secure nuclear applications.
Director General Grossi’s visit underscores the IAEA’s commitment to leveraging nuclear science and technology for peaceful development purposes globally. The “Rays of Hope” initiative, under which Grossi is visiting, specifically aims to expand access to life-saving cancer treatment in Member States, particularly those lacking sufficient medical infrastructure. Over 90 countries have reportedly requested the Agency’s support for increasing cancer care access since the initiative’s launch in February 2022.
The discussions between the Ethiopian Premier and the IAEA Chief are expected to pave the way for sustained and potentially expanded collaboration, further integrating nuclear science applications into Ethiopia’s national development priorities, from public health to agricultural resilience.
