Innovation & Technology Minister visits China Atomic Energy Authority

Addis Ababa, August 8, 2024 (FBC) – Ethiopia’s Minister of Innovation and Technology, Belete Molla, has visited the China’s advanced research reactor (CARR) and engaged in a discussion with China Atomic Energy Authority (CAEA) senior leadership in Beijing this week.

After visiting the headquarters of the CAEA and the China National Nuclear Corporation’s advanced research reactor (CARR) in Beijing, the minister met with Mr. Liu Jing, Vice Chairman of CAEA, to discuss potential cooperation in the nuclear sector.

Mentioning China’s comprehensive development support to Ethiopia, the minister acknowledged that Ethiopia aspires to reach the same level of development in the utilization of nuclear technology for peaceful purposes as China has achieved.

The two dignitaries also explored the possibility of expanding the scope of cooperation between Ethiopian and Chinese universities and related institutions in the fields of nuclear education and research.

On the course of the meeting, Belete reminded that Ethiopia is working closely with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and asked the authority to support Ethiopia’s proposal submitted to IAEA to build an African nuclear technology training center.

In response, Mr. Liu Jing said that CAEA will offer its backing to Ethiopia’s efforts to develop nuclear technology, starting with human resources development.

The CAEA Vice Chairman confirmed that a tripartite agreement will be made between the African Union, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), and the Chinese government to establish a training facility in Africa at the upcoming Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) in September 2024 in Beijing. Following the signing of the agreement, both the IAEA and China will provide support to the African Union and Ethiopia, Mr. Liu disclosed.

Despite the existence of this multilateral agreement, the minister and the CAEA official reached a consensus on the importance of entering a bilateral agreement between Ethiopia and China to further deepen cooperation in the sector.