Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) -- The IAEA hosted an event dedicated to the official completion of the pilot stage for the implementation of the Agency’s comprehensive COMPASS program aimed at supporting member states in strengthening their national capabilities in the field of accounting and control of nuclear material and strengthening state regulatory bodies.

The event was attended by IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi, Deputy Director General and Head of the Department of Safeguards Massimo Aparo, ambassadors of seven countries participating in the COMPASS pilot program - Uzbekistan, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Guatemala, Jordan, Malaysia and Rwanda, representatives of donor states and presenters experts in the field of nuclear safety, Dunyo news agency reports.

Rafael Grossi, in his speech, noted the achievements of the COMPASS pilot project, emphasizing that the countries included in the initial phase of the program have made significant progress in strengthening their regulatory bodies, developing systems for accounting and control of nuclear material. In turn, this contributes to strengthening the physical nuclear security of the participating countries and maintaining the nonproliferation regime.

It was emphasized that in October 2020, Uzbekistan was the first country to launch the COMPASS program.

Rafael Grossi noted that the COMPASS program will develop in accordance with the experience gained in the pilot phase, and announced the start of accepting applications from interested states for receiving assistance under COMPASS for 2024-2026.

The IAEA Director General presented the Permanent Representative of Uzbekistan to the IAEA, Ambassador Abat Fayzullaev with a certificate of completion of the pilot phase of the COMPASS program.

In his speech, the head of the diplomatic mission highly appreciated the cooperation with the IAEA Department of Safeguards and expressed gratitude for the assistance in the development and strengthening of nuclear security in the country. Specific information was provided on the achievements in the implementation of the COMPASS program in Uzbekistan. It was noted that the COMPASS initiative contributed to greater transparency and cooperation between the IAEA and Uzbekistan. This allowed for the secure exchange of information and data, building mutual trust and confidence in the verification process.