Director General in Syria to Strengthen Cooperation in Safeguards, Cancer Care and Food Security

Honoured to meet Syrian President Ahmed Al-Sharaa in Damascus. I recognise his courage in cooperating with full transparency to close a chapter of Syria’s past that diverted resources necessary for development. Non-proliferation is peace, and peace enables development. pic.twitter.com/RdR9mp17yc

— Rafael Mariano Grossi (@rafaelmgrossi) June 4, 2025

During his visit, Mr Grossi also met Foreign Minister Asaad Al-Shaibani with whom he signed a Memorandum of Understanding to strengthen cooperation in the areas of food security and cancer control. The IAEA will support Syria with medical equipment and hospital training, as well as with assistance in food and agriculture to enhance food safety and security.

Today in Damascus, I signed an agreement with @syrianmofaex’s Asaad al-Shaibani to benefit the lives of Syria’s people: #Atoms4Food for better agriculture and nutrition & #RaysOfHope for access to cancer diagnosis and treatment.
A forward-looking step for our cooperation. pic.twitter.com/dKafVheQ2V

— Rafael Mariano Grossi (@rafaelmgrossi) June 4, 2025

Each year, more than 1400 women in Syria are diagnosed with gynaecological cancer. For many, access to a specialized form of internal radiotherapy called brachytherapy could significantly improve their chances of survival.

To help these women receive the treatment they need, the IAEA, through its Rays of Hope Initiative, is working with local medical teams to build Syria’s first fully equipped brachytherapy suite at Al-Biruni Hospital in Damascus. This life-saving facility is being made possible with the financial support of the government of Italy.

“We are supporting the reconstruction of Syria’s radiotherapy, nuclear medicine, and radiology services,” said Mr Grossi. “We’re providing equipment like CT scanners, brachytherapy machines for women’s cancers, and other tools not currently available in the country, and we will train personnel on the ground to use them.”

Through cooperation on Atoms4Food, the IAEA and Syria will work together to strengthen food security for the country’s population using nuclear and isotopic applications to improve agricultural practices.

“Food security is, of course, of great importance to Syria, and the IAEA is well positioned to assist,” said Mr Grossi. “Nuclear techniques can make a big difference in areas like crop development, water management, insect sterilization, or pest control. We do this around the world, and now we’re opening a new chapter for Syria and its people.”

Began important visit to Syria. Grateful to Atomic Energy Commission Director General Mudar Alokla for the warm welcome.
Our cooperation is key to closing outstanding issues and focusing on the much needed help @IAEAorg can provide Syria in health and agriculture. pic.twitter.com/ekEvcU0p7N

— Rafael Mariano Grossi (@rafaelmgrossi) June 4, 2025

Earlier this year, an IAEA expert mission travelled to Syria and carried out assessments on the current status of Syria’s Secondary Standards Dosimetry Laboratory (SSDL) at the Atomic Energy Commission of Syria (AECS) and provided recommendations, to enhance radiation safety in the country. 

National radiotherapy services were also evaluated, and technical input delivered to strengthen clinical practices. A series of technical training sessions and practical workshops on advanced radiotherapy techniques were held in Damascus by the IAEA and international experts through the IAEA’s technical cooperation programme.

As agreed yesterday with President Ahmed Al-Sharaa, @IAEAorg teams and I today had immediate and unrestricted access to sites relevant to clarifying Syria’s past nuclear activities.
A critical and transparent step towards resolving outstanding issues. pic.twitter.com/whO73GMLlF

— Rafael Mariano Grossi (@rafaelmgrossi) June 5, 2025

The IAEA will continue to support capacity building through the clinical training of local radiation oncologists, medical physicists and radiotherapy technologists while the brachytherapy machine is on its way to Al-Biruni Hospital.

The IAEA has been delivering support to Syria including  medical equipment  such as portable and mobile X ray machines, non-destructive testing devices and portable ultrasound units following the devastating earthquake in February 2023. 

The mission of Mr Grossi to Syria this week was made possible with logistical support from the Government of Italy.