Albana Koçiu, Minister of Health and Social Protection, attended the IAEA Ministerial Conference on Scientific, Technological, and Technical Cooperation. The conference focused on pressing global issues such as food security, health, and climate change.

In her speech, Minister Koçiu highlighted the growing potential of nuclear technology to provide practical, affordable, and shared solutions in areas such as clean energy, food and water security, healthcare, and climate change.

“Nuclear applications in healthcare are fundamental to health policy, improving disease prevention, cancer therapy, and diagnostic imaging to save countless lives. In line with the National Action Plan against Cancer 2022-2030, we are strengthening nuclear medicine services and improving cancer treatment outcomes in Albania with the continued support of the IAEA. The quality and accessibility of cancer care in Albania have greatly improved as a result of these initiatives,” she said.

She underlined how the IAEA’s support has enabled Albania to achieve a level of care comparable to that of many European countries by providing it with state-of-the-art diagnostic imaging equipment, such as MRI systems, CT scanners, and X-ray machines.

In addition, Minister Koçiu stressed that Albania’s involvement in more than 60 technical cooperation projects with the IAEA is in line with the country’s EU integration process.

“As a sign of our ambition and commitment to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals, we formally launched accession negotiations last month. Through technology, multilateral agreements, and social responsibility, this relationship is crucial to achieving our national goal of being a deserving member of the EU,” she said.

Minister Koçiu reiterated Albania’s willingness to cooperate with all allies and UN organizations that share similar goals.

“Albania remains a committed member of the international community, ready to strengthen international cooperation in the fields of nuclear energy, science, and health,” she said.