Syria and IAEA Advance Cooperation in Nuclear Medicine and Agriculture

Syrian President Ahmad al-Shara met IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi in Damascus as the two sides expand collaboration on nuclear applications for health, food security, and energy.

• Al-Shara and Grossi met at the Presidential Palace on Tuesday, with Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shibani and the head of Syria’s Atomic Energy Commission in attendance.
• Syria’s Atomic Energy Commission inaugurated a brachytherapy system at Al-Biruni Hospital in Damascus, developed with IAEA support, earlier Tuesday.
• In June 2025, Syria signed a memorandum of understanding with the IAEA on cooperation in food security and cancer treatment.
• Grossi stated the IAEA will explore opportunities for using nuclear energy in Syria, and Al-Shara outlined a program for IAEA medical equipment, training, and agricultural assistance.

Latest developments

• Jul 15 — The brachytherapy system uses high-dose-rate radiation to target tumors directly for treating cervical and gynecological cancers.
• Jul 15 — Al-Biruni Hospital has established a specialized cancer registry, reporting 12,000 new cancer cases in Syria in 2025.
• Jul 15 — Grossi pledged continued IAEA support, including the delivery of a CT scanner and a PET scanner to Syria.