Answering the call of a changing world: nuclear technology today and in the future

Nuclear science and technology may operate on scales invisible to the naked eye, but the impact of this atomic work is evident in many spheres of life. It is boosting food security by helping farmers grow more food, conserve water and stave off insect pests. Doctors and other health professionals use it to care for patients and save lives. Other uses include ensuring the safety of products like car tyres and aeroplanes, as well as cleaning up environmental pollution and preserving cultural artefacts. But as the world changes, development challenges evolve as well, calling for novel tools and methods. It is the task of the nuclear science community, including the IAEA, to answer this call. Researchers worldwide work with IAEA experts and in IAEA laboratories to use nuclear and isotopic techniques to tackle new global challenges, such as climate change, addressing the growing nutritional and medical demands of an increasing global population and supporting the expansion of industrialization for development.