India Takes Over Chairmanship of Regional Cooperative Agreement (RCA) for 2026 Under IAEA

India has officially assumed the chairmanship of the Regional Cooperative Agreement (RCA) for the year 2026 under the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). This announcement came at the 48th Meeting of National Representatives (NRM) in Navi Mumbai and it brings together the delegates from Asia-Pacific and Africa.

India Assumes RCA Chair for 2026

India has formally taken over as the Chair of the Regional Cooperative Agreement (RCA) for the year 2026.

This marks an important step in the India’s longstanding engagement with peaceful nuclear science cooperation in the Asia-Pacific region.

The chairmanship highlights country’s strategic role to promote the science-led regional development.

What Is Happening in Navi Mumbai?

The 48th Meeting of National Representatives (NRM) under RCA is being hosted in the Navi Mumbai from May 19 to May 22, 2026.

The event is organized by the Department of Atomic Energy (DAE), Government of India.

There are total of 29 delegates from 17 Asia-Pacific nations are participating.

Additionally, three delegates from the African countries are also attending as part of the AFRA delegation.

Representatives from the IAEA and the RCA Regional Office (RCARO) are also present at the event.

What Is RCA?

The Regional Cooperative Agreement (RCA) is an intergovernmental framework which is operating under the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).

It focuses on to promote the peaceful use of nuclear science and technology.

The agreement supports the collaborative research, training, development projects and technical cooperation.

RCA came into force in the year 1972.

Currently it has 22 government parties from the Asia-Pacific region.

India’s Historic Connection with RCA

India is not just a member but it is a founding pillar of RCA.

The concept of the RCA can be trace back to discussions held at Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC), Mumbai, in 1964 during an IAEA conference.

India has played the continuous role in shaping regional nuclear cooperation.

Also some of the India’s have contributed through scientific training, expert missions, research support and technology sharing.

Focus Areas of the Meeting

The Navi Mumbai meeting will discuss the several major sectors. These includes the healthcare, cancer treatment, agriculture, food preservation, water resource management, isotope hydrology, radiation technology, environmental sustainability and capacity building.

Also delegates will also review the ongoing RCA projects and plan future collaborative program.

Discussions related to the 70th IAEA General Conference in Vienna will also take place.

What Is AFRA?

AFRA (African Regional Cooperative Agreement) is the Africa’s counterpart to RCA.

It promotes the peaceful nuclear cooperation among African nations.

The participation of the AFRA delegates clearly indicates the expanding inter-regional scientific collaboration.