The United States, through the IAEA’s Peaceful Uses Initiative (PUI), has allocated $390,000 to assist Suriname’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic. With this funding, the IAEA will provide COVID-19-related diagnostic and biosafety equipment. Suriname will receive several COVID-19 kits, each containing an RT-PCR system and biosafety equipment, including cabinets and hoods, personal protective equipment, and test samples. This equipment is essential to strengthen local capacities for detecting the COVID-19 virus.
The Peaceful Uses Initiative was established in 2010 to mobilize extra-budgetary contributions for projects related to the peaceful application of nuclear technology. While Suriname is not yet a member of the IAEA, the United States recognizes that as a State Party to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT), Suriname enjoys the benefit of access to the peaceful uses of nuclear technology under Article IV of the NPT. In addition, the United States recognizes the critical need for diagnostic and biosafety equipment and has prioritized such assistance, even to those who are not yet IAEA Member States. This type of assistance is routinely available to all IAEA Member States. The United States hopes Suriname will benefit from this IAEA assistance as we all fight to overcome this global health pandemic.
The United States looks forward to strengthening its partnership with Suriname, including through ongoing engagements to ensure the safe, secure, and peaceful application of nuclear science and technology to meet sustainable development goals.
For more information on the IAEA’s technical cooperation projects, visit: https://www.iaea.org/services/technical-cooperation-programme
