Bangladesh inks IAEA deal ahead of Rooppur fuel loading

Bangladesh is set to mark a major milestone in its energy sector, as fuel loading at the Rooppur nuclear power plant is scheduled to begin on April 7, 2026.

​In preparation for the fuel loading, the Bangladesh government signed its fifth Country Programme Framework (CPF) with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) on March 18 in Vienna, Austria.

Md Anwar Hossain, secretary to the Ministry of Science and Technology, signed the deal on behalf of Bangladesh, while Hua Liu, IAEA deputy director general and head of the Department of Technical Cooperation, signed for the agency.

The agreement, covering the period 2026–2032, is aimed at ensuring the peaceful and secure use of nuclear technology.

​Md Tanvir Mia, public relations officer (PRO) of the science and technology ministry, confirmed the signing in a press release issued Friday night.

​The CPF serves as a medium-term planning tool to define technical cooperation between the member state and the IAEA. For the next six years, Bangladesh has identified seven priority areas for nuclear technology application.

The priority areas are ​nuclear and radiation safety and security; ​energy; food and agriculture; human Health; water and environment; nuclear knowledge development and management; and radiation technology in industry.

Tanvir told The Daily Star that the newly signed CPF is a crucial framework that directly supports the upcoming operations at Rooppur. He noted that through the implementation of this framework, the peaceful use of nuclear technology in the country will be further expanded.

​Bangladesh has been a member of the IAEA since 1972. Officials believe this new phase of cooperation will ensure the Rooppur Nuclear Power Project (RNPP) operates under the highest international safety and technical standards.

​According to the Ministry of Science and Technology, Prime Minister Tarique Rahman will inaugurate the fuel loading for Unit-1 of the RNPP on April 7.