International Cooperation
Jordan Atomic Energy Commission (JAEC) is actively expanding its involvement in the global nuclear community, fostering collaboration with various countries, international, and national entities to promote peaceful nuclear energy initiatives. JAEC plays a key role in partnering with different countries and international organizations for activities related to peaceful nuclear energy. The commission focuses on exchanging expertise and working closely with other entities to optimize knowledge in nuclear applications and power programs. Consequently, JAEC collaborates extensively with significant organizations such as the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and the Arab Atomic Energy Agency (AAEA) through joint projects, including initiatives to facilitate exchanges and training programs. JAEC is also dedicated to supporting education by providing opportunities for personnel to undergo training and qualification within the framework of nuclear cooperation agreements such as the Post-Graduate Educational Course in Radiation Protection and the Safety of Radiation Sources (PGEC).
The Jordan Atomic Energy Commission (JAEC) works to establish and enhance nuclear cooperation with pioneering countries in the nuclear field with the aim of upholding the development of the Jordan nuclear program, by establishing bilateral agreements with these countries to benefit from their expertise. Activities include bilateral nuclear cooperation agreements, memoranda of understanding, and protocols with other countries and international organizations in various areas of cooperation related to the peaceful uses of atomic energy. Since 2008, more than 15 nuclear cooperation agreements have been signed.
JAEC also works to stimulate the peaceful applications of nuclear energy and localize nuclear technology through the implementation of bilateral projects with a strategic dimension that contribute to achieving sustainable social and economic development.
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Technical Cooperation with the IAEA
Within the framework of the Technical Cooperation (TC) program, the IAEA provides technical support and expertize in the form of technical cooperation projects that provide human resources development opportunities for Jordanian technical personnel working in the field of peaceful uses of atomic energy. TC projects are the vehicle of technology transfer that contribute to enhancing the infrastructure of nuclear science and technology in terms of providing instruments and equipment.
Through a harmonized and synergetic efforts with the IAEA, JAEC is working to harness nuclear technology in addressing basic socio-economic and human development needs, and to pursue through IAEA’s technical cooperation program a comprehensive course to address these needs.
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Country Program Framework (2023-2027) with the IAEA
The Country Program Framework (CPF, 2023-2027) is the IAEA’s main strategic tool for short- and medium-term planning of technical cooperation (TC) activities. The CPF states the national priorities and needs to be addressed through IAEA cooperation and identifies relevant areas where the transfer of nuclear technology and technical cooperation resources will be directed to support the national development goals.
Stemming from a thorough situation analysis, national programmatic planning priorities were identified under the CPF in the following thematic areas: (1) Legal Framework; (2) Nuclear and Radiation Safety and Security; (3) Food and Agriculture; (4) Human Health; (5) Water Resources and Environment; (6) Energy and Industry; and (7) Strengthening National Capacity in Nuclear Science & Technology.
The proposed technical cooperation program under the CPF is aligned with the directions and goals set forth by the Government of Jordan (GoJ) in its 2025 Vision, and the Economic Modernization Vision 2033 which was launched in line with the comprehensive modernization across the political, economic, and administrative tracks.
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Co-operative Agreement for Arab States in Asia for Research Development and Training Related to Nuclear Science and Technology (ARASIA)
Jordan has been a member state of ARASIA since 2002. ARASIA has a mandate by its Charter to promote regional cooperation and integration towards a vast economic potential and sustained growth and improvement in the quality of lives of people. ARASIA’s vision is the provision of nuclear technologies that address socio-economic needs and contribute to sustainable development in the member States, especially in improving health, combating poverty, protecting the environment, managing water resources and rationalizing industrial processes, meeting energy challenges.
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Cooperation with the Arab Atomic Energy Agency (AAEA)
The Arab Atomic Energy Agency supports coordinated research projects for Arab cooperation that are considered to be practical and technical contributions to sustainable development in Arab countries. The focus of such projects includes: water sciences, agricultural sciences, analytical techniques, health sciences, environmental sciences, materials sciences, and archaeological sciences. The contributions of the AAEA are crucial for the development of the human resources working in this field.
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Human Resources Development
Human Resources Development is one of the most important pillars of the Jordanian nuclear energy program. Between 2008 and 2024, JAEC sent 160 students to Russian, French, Chinese, Bulgaria and Korean universities to obtain undergraduate and postgraduate degrees in nuclear energy and technology to serve the aims of the Jordanian nuclear program. JAEC also provided scholarships to (18) students from the Central Badia region to study nuclear engineering at the Jordan University of Science and Technology.
The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has supported the efforts of JAEC to become a regional center of excellence for training and qualification. JAEC has received several delegations from Arab Countries in the region with the aim of strengthening cooperation, and framing opportunities for future nuclear technical cooperation under the umbrella of the IAEA.
JAEC collaborates with other national institutions from different sectors to host training and qualification activities, and JAEC is also working to host Arab and international conferences in the field of peaceful uses of nuclear energy.