New Zealand – Scientists gather to focus on nuclear technology cooperation

Government Parties to the Regional Cooperative Agreement are Australia, Bangladesh, People’s Republic of China, Cambodia, India, Indonesia, Japan, the Republic of Korea, Malaysia, Mongolia, Myanmar, Nepal, New Zealand, Pakistan, the Republic of Palau, the Philippines, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Thailand, and Vietnam. –

Image source ; https://nuclear-news.net/2010/07/10/online-films-recall-new-zealands-anti-nuclear-battle/

http://livenews.co.nz/2014/03/31/scientists-gather-to-focus-on-nuclear-technology-cooperation-31032014/

Source: GNS Science – Press Release/Statement:Headline: Scientists gather to focus on nuclear technology cooperation – 31/03/2014

Nearly 50 representatives from 20 countries of the Asia and Pacific region and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) are in Wellington this week to discuss cooperation and promotion of the many peaceful uses of nuclear technology.

The four-day event at Te Papa between 1 and 4 April is the 36^th meeting of the Regional Co-operative Agreement for Research, Development and Training Related to Nuclear Science and Technology for Asia and the Pacific (RCA). It was last hosted in New Zealand in 1997.

The IAEA member states of the Asia and Pacific region set up the RCA initiative in 1972 with the aim of encouraging co-operative research and development in the peaceful uses of nuclear science.

Its main areas of focus are using nuclear science and isotope technologies to help make significant improvements in agriculture, human health, industry and the environment. This leads to tangible social, economic and environmental benefits in member countries.

The RCA achieves this through sharing knowledge and expertise among member countries.

This week’s meeting will review the many existing projects and explore new possibilities for cooperation among member countries.

Background:
Government Parties to the Regional Cooperative Agreement are Australia, Bangladesh, People’s Republic of China, Cambodia, India, Indonesia, Japan, the Republic of Korea, Malaysia, Mongolia, Myanmar, Nepal, New Zealand, Pakistan, the Republic of Palau, the Philippines, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Thailand, and Vietnam.

The RCA’s mission is to:

Identify and implement nuclear technologies that address regional needs
Ensure transfer of nuclear technologies to end users
Coordinate cooperative research in applications of nuclear science and technology
Promote the benefits of nuclear technologies and identify partners and funding mechanisms
Develop regional networks for exchange of technologies, training, and equipment.

The main focus areas for the RCA are agriculture, human health, environment, and industry. Examples of projects undertaken under the auspices of the RCA include:

Industry

Non-destructive testing for quality control in industrial processes
Using radio-tracers to improve efficiency in petrochemical production and in sewage treatment plants
Using nuclear technology to develop new materials from natural polymers
Using isotope analysis to improve the efficiency of geothermal energy plants

Agriculture

Developing super water-absorbing materials and plant growth promoters for agricultural applications
Using isotope analysis to improve soil conservation in agriculture
Improved livestock productivity through isotope analysis
Improving the quality of crops through the use of isotope technology in plant breeding
Using isotope technologies to improve insect and pest control

Environment

Using nuclear analytical techniques to determine the sources of air pollution
Using isotopic analytical techniques to manage freshwater quality
Using isotope technology to turn the tide against marine pollution

Human health

Improving the efficiency of radiotherapy
Improving the effectiveness of nuclear medicine in cancer treatment
Improving the use of nuclear medicine in management of cardiovascular diseases.
Improving the effectiveness of tissue grafting through nuclear technology.

[Arclight2011] More here;

Mongolia

Pct. saying corruption very serious: 86% (tied for the highest)
Pct. claiming public officials corrupt: 77% (12th highest)
Pct. claiming police corrupt: 66% (49th highest)
2012 GDP per capita: $5,372

Mongolia had one of the world’s fastest growing economies in 2012, when its GDP rose an estimated 12.3%, according to the IMF. But corruption has been identified by USAID as a critical threat to the country’s continued growth as well as to its democracy. Corruption has become pervasive in the country, after “rapid transition to democracy and a market economy created huge demands on bureaucracy that lacks the [means] to prevent corruption,” according to the organization. Encouragingly, less than half of all people surveyed in the country said that corruption had increased in the past two years, versus 53% of respondents worldwide. Also, while 77% of people considered public officials to be corrupt, just 12% believed the country’s government to be run by a few large, purely self-interested entities.

http://www.usatoday.com/story/money/business/2013/07/14/most-corrupt-countries/2512785/

http://www.rediff.com/business/slide-show/slide-show-1-india-among-worlds-most-corrupt-nations-/20131204.htm

Here is an interactive map that shows how “trustworthy” the rest are;

http://www.businessinsider.com/the-most-corrupt-countries-in-the-world-2013-12