IAEA and Chile are working together to strengthen cooperation to tackle microplastic pollution in Antarctica

The IAEA and the government of Chile have signed an agreement to strengthen cooperation to tackle microplastic pollution in Antarctica. The IAEA also signed the first-ever agreement on nuclear technology and lithium. IAEA Director Rafael Mariano Grossi and Chilean Foreign Minister Alberto van Klaveren signed the Memorandum of Understanding on Tuesday under the IAEA’s NUTEC Plastics flagship initiative.

Mr. Grossi also signed an agreement regarding lithium mining with Luis Huerta of the Chilean Nuclear Energy Commission (CCHEN), in the presence of Chile’s Undersecretary for Energy, Luis Felipe Ramos. This agreement aims to leverage nuclear technology to improve lithium extraction and paves the way for broader regional support from the IAEA. Lithium has applications in the fusion and energy sectors.

Mr Grossi said: “Nuclear science drives Chile’s development in areas such as health, food, security and the environment. I look forward to furthering our collaboration.” Rays of Hope: Cancer Care for All During the visit to Chile, Mr. Grossi also met with Minister Ximena Aguilera Sanhueza discussed the expansion of cancer care through training and nuclear medicine as part of the flagship Rays of Hope: Cancer Care for All of the IAEA. Rays of Hope aims to close the global gap in cancer care by expanding access to treatments such as radiotherapy where the need is greatest. NUTEC Plastics in Antarctica The latest partnership with NUTEC Plastics in Chile builds on the work the IAEA is already doing to tackle plastic pollution in the oceans. Mr Grossi visited Antarctica along with Argentina’s President Javier Milei in January to observe an IAEA scientific mission as it sought to assess the impact of microplastics in this remote region.

Founded in 2020, NUTEC Plastics is an IAEA flagship initiative to combat plastic pollution with nuclear technologies. Through a network of NUTEC Plastic Monitoring Laboratories, nuclear and isotopic techniques are used to produce data on the distribution of microplastics in the sea by sampling and analyzing microplastics in the environment. The IAEA’s NUTEC Plastics initiative also brings together countries and partners to combat plastic pollution by introducing new technologies to improve plastic recycling.

During the visit to Chile, Mr Grossi congratulated CCHEN, which recently celebrated its 60th anniversary.

He said: “The IAEA and I are proud to support their impactful work in nuclear energy, which promotes Chile’s progress and well-being. An example of this is their reactor, crucial for the production of essential radioisotopes for health care.”

Chile will host the next International Conference on Effective Nuclear and Radiation Regulation Systems in January 2026, the first in Latin America, reflecting the region’s growing role in global nuclear safety and regulation.