Officials from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) who spent four days in Bolivia last week to inspect and evaluate the three components of the Nuclear Technology Research and Development Center (CIDTN), currently being built in the city of El Alto by Russia’s nuclear energy agency Rosatom and the Bolivian Nuclear Energy Agency (ABEN) had nothing but high praise for the project and the professionalism and technological and scientific abilities of those involved in building it. The officials, led by Dr. David Ek of the U.S. and Dr. Muhammad Wassem of Pakistan, evaluated the documentation, design and installations of the Preclinical Radiopharmaceutical Cyclotron Complex (CCRP), which will be instrumental in the field of nuclear medicine and cancer treatment, the Multipurpose Irradiation Center (CMI), which will transform Bolivia’s agricultural sector through food irradiation, and the Nuclear Research Reactor (RNI). The very detailed inspection touched on all aspects related to the project’s future functioning, including security, ensuring that all safety measures adhere to international standards, identifying any appropriate improvements to strengthen the security of the cyclotron complex, and any additional security measures for which the IAEA could provide financial assistance.
According to an Oct. 1 ABEN press release, at the conclusion of their mission the same day, Dr. Ek congratulated the government of President Luis Arce for developing a nuclear research center with such high technological standards which he said would be very beneficial for Bolivia’s future scientific and socio economic development. In a tweet, President Arce took note of the IAEA’s evaluation, emphasizing that “this macro project will place technology at the service of our people’s health and of [national] production.” Dr. Ek further noted that despite the fact that the CIDTN is under construction, “it’s clear that its configuration, design and extension are impressive.” The two officials reported how impressed they were with the infrastructure and equipment at the Irradiation Complex (CMI), which Dr. Ek called “splendid.” Dr. Wassem remarked that this installation” is going to be a great milestone in the country’s progress. I appreciate and greatly admire those who are part of the working team. They should feel very proud once the CIDTN becomes fully operational.”
