By Omar Yusuf, IAEA Department of Technical Cooperation

Nuclear science and technology can be a key enabler for countries to achieve the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in several social, economic and environmental areas, improving people’s lives, tackling the consequences of climate change and supporting several aspects of the post-pandemic recovery.

At a virtual side event on the margins of  the United Nations High-level Political Forum (HLPF) on Sustainable Development last week, experts from Malaysia, Nigeria, Peru and the IAEA discussed how nuclear science and technology have helped in the development of crops that are more resistant to drought and salinity. They also discussed how a climate-smart approach to soil and water management could increase food production and accelerate their economic recovery in the post COVID-19 period.