Colombia: IAEA Commits to Strengthen Food and Agriculture, Cancer Care, the Environment and Energy

The IAEA’s Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi has signed a series of key agreements to support Colombia in expanding peaceful uses of nuclear technology during an important visit to Cartagena and Bogotá this week.

The IAEA will work with Colombia to strengthen food and agriculture systems, under its flagship Atoms4Food initiative. It will also partner with Colombia to tackle marine plastic pollution under the IAEA NUTEC Plastics initiative and strengthen cancer care in the country through the Rays of Hope initiative. Colombia will receive support from the IAEA to explore nuclear power as part of its future energy mix

Rafael Mariano Grossi met the Chancellor of Colombia, Rosa Yolanda Villavicencio,  Martha Carvajalino, Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development and Edwin Palma Egea, the Minister of Mines and Energy. 

Glad to be in Cartagena for my first visit to Colombia ???? as @IAEAorg Director General.

Together with @CancilleriaCol’s @ryvillavicencio, we signed a new roadmap for our joint work to promote development through nuclear technology in key areas such as nuclear security, food and… pic.twitter.com/QyV0omk1xX

— Rafael Mariano Grossi (@rafaelmgrossi) February 24, 2026

During the visit, Mr Grossi and Chancellor Villavicencio signed a new roadmap to promote nuclear technology in nuclear security, food and agriculture, human health, water, energy and industry in Colombia.

Nuclear science is a powerful tool to boost food security and strengthen food export potential. Mr Grossi signed a key agreement with Ms Carvajalino, Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, to support sustainable agriculture and address transboundary potato disease.

The IAEA will support Colombia as it explores nuclear power as part of its energy mix, Mr Grossi agreed with Mr Egea, Minister of Mines and Energy. 

Cancer is a significant public health challenge in Colombia, placing a high economic burden on the health system. Estimates from the International Agency for Research on Cancer’s (IARC) Global Cancer Observatory indicate that the number of cancer cases and deaths in Colombia will increase by about 40 per cent by 2030 and almost 50 per cent by 2040. The IAEA flagship initiative Rays of Hope is supporting Colombia with equipment, training and expertise and helping expand access to high quality cancer care in Colombia and across the region. 

During his visit, Mr Grossi met with the Director of Colombia’s National Cancer Institute Carolina Wiesner and officially designated the Institute as a Rays of Hope Anchor Centre. 

In Bogotá, together with Director @WiesnerCarolina, I designated @INCancerologia as a #RaysOfHope Anchor Centre. This leading reference centre will help expand access to quality cancer care across the region so that more patients can be diagnosed earlier, treated on time, and… pic.twitter.com/4raO6rILsh

— Rafael Mariano Grossi (@rafaelmgrossi) February 25, 2026

The IAEA’s flagship NUTEC Plastics initiative brings together countries and partners worldwide to address plastic pollution, leveraging nuclear technologies to improve the monitoring of microplastics in marine environments. During his visit, Mr Grossi designated Colombia’s Institute for Marine and Coastal Research (INVEMAR)  as an IAEA Collaborating Centre, in a ceremony attended by Edith Bastidas of Colombia’s Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development and the Institute’s Director Francisco Arias Isaza.  

Today in Colombia ???? designated @invemarcolombia as an @IAEAorg Collaborating Centre, further expanding the benefits of #NUTECplastics in the region.

Using nuclear and isotopic techniques, INVEMAR will help monitor marine pollution and protect coastal ecosystems across Latin… pic.twitter.com/20BU2gr6es

— Rafael Mariano Grossi (@rafaelmgrossi) February 24, 2026

As he concluded his first trip to Colombia, Mr Grossi exchanged with Carlos Carrillo Arenas,  the Director of the National Unit for Disaster Risk Management. They signed an agreement supporting the National Disaster Risk Management System and strengthening preparedness and coordination, including in the nuclear and radiological area.

As I conclude my visit to Colombia ????, I met with @UNGRD’s @CarlosCarrilloA to sign an agreement supporting the National Disaster Risk Management System and strengthening preparedness and coordination, including in the nuclear and radiological area. pic.twitter.com/dMB5nxuEUk

— Rafael Mariano Grossi (@rafaelmgrossi) February 25, 2026

Mr Grossi also met representatives from Red Nuclear Colombiana, an organization dedicated to research and outreach on nuclear technologies, Women in Nuclear Colombia, other representatives from civil society and lawmakers. 

“I thanked them for the message and support for the mission of the IAEA, to promote the safe and peaceful uses of nuclear science and technology in Colombia, including assistance in the drafting of the country’s nuclear law,” he said. 

Proud to receive a recognition from @WiNColombia for the @IAEAorg’s work supporting #WomenInNuclear. pic.twitter.com/SOQPxWTdlc

— Rafael Mariano Grossi (@rafaelmgrossi) February 24, 2026