Summary Report of the 24th FNCA Coordinators Meeting
12-13 March 2024, Tokyo, Japan (hybrid meeting)

The 24th FNCA Coordinators Meeting (CDM) was held in Tokyo from March 12 to 13, 2024, hosted by the Cabinet Office of Japan (CAO) and the Japan Atomic Energy Commission (JAEC), and co-hosted by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) of Japan. Chairperson of the Meeting was Dr. TAMADA Masao, FNCA Coordinator of Japan. The Meeting was attended by delegates from 12 member countries; Australia, Bangladesh, China, Indonesia, Japan, Kazakhstan, Republic of Korea, Malaysia, Mongolia, the Philippines, Thailand, Viet Nam, with the Regional Cooperation Agreement for Research, Development and Training Related to Nuclear Science and Technology for Asia and the Pacific (RCA) Regional Office, and Singapore, as an observer.
The summary of the 10 sessions of the Meeting is as follows:

Session 1: Opening Session
Opening remarks from Dr. TAMADA was made then the meeting agenda was adopted.

(Left) Dr. UESAKA, Chairperson of JAEC (Right) Dr. TAMADA, FNCA Coordinator of Japan

Session 2: Report of the 24th MLM
Secretariat reported overview of the 24th MLM which had been held in-person and online in November 2023. Based on the topic of roundtable discussion “Nuclear science contribution in human health and medical well-being (&Rays of Hope)”, keynote speeches “IAEA Rays of Hope Initiative: Increasing Access to Cancer Care through Nuclear Applications” from IAEA and “Current Status of Radiopharmaceuticals Development in Thailand” from Thailand Institute of Nuclear Technology or TINT were made, followed by discussions and answers. During round-table session, lead speeches by Japan and Vietnam were delivered then discussion was made.

Session 3-1: Report of project activities and outcomes on Radiation Utilization Development

1. Mutation Breeding
   This project aims to develop new crop varieties, which contribute to the sustainable agriculture in Asian countries by using mutation breeding techniques. Particularly, the member countries are trying to develop new varieties that show high yield, early maturity, high quality, and tolerance to biotic and abiotic stresses. In this meeting, the progress of the member countries related to the activities of the project was highlighted. It was reported that 10 rice varieties and 5 soybean varieties have been released so far in line with the purpose of this project, and that the released new varieties are expected to bring a significant economic impact and greatly contribute to the sustainable agriculture.
   As a theme (sub-project) of next phase, “Mutation breeding of major crops and application of new technologies toward a sustainable agriculture” has been proposed.
2. Radiation Oncology
   This project aims to improve the level of radiation therapy in the Asian region by establishing optimal treatment protocols for uterine cervix cancer, nasopharyngeal cancer, and breast cancer, all of which are highly prevalent in the region. Member countries conduct international multi-center clinical studies, assignments required for physical Quality Assurance and Quality Control (QA/QC) of radiotherapy and educational activities.
   In this meeting, report was made that standard treatment protocols related to these three cancers were established, QA/QC audits of 3D-IGBT were conducted then the audits have improved quality of radiotherapy in FNCA member countries, and lots of paper related to each protocol were published.
   As a theme of next phase, chemoradiotherapy and radiotherapy for cervical cancer and breast cancer, clinical trials on palliative radiotherapy for brain and bone metastasis, etc., have been proposed.

Session 3-2: Report of project activities and outcomes on Research Reactor Utilization Development

3. Research Reactor Utilization
   This project shares information such as the characteristics and the utilization status of research reactors among the member countries with the aim of improving the common research infrastructure and the technical skills of their researchers and engineers.
   It was reported that Research Reactor Utilization (RRU) group is currently working on activities with the topics such as “RI production including new isotopes” and “new research reactor” based on the survey to the member countries.
   In the Neutron Activation Analysis (NAA) group, it was introduced that the group is focusing on “environmental monitoring” in the current phase, and environmental samples for the monitoring are to include not only “ordinary” environmental samples such as air particulate matters but also a variety of substances extensively such as soil and even food. It was recommended that analytical methods other than NAA like ICP-MS be applied to these sample when research reactor are temporally or permanently not in operation for some member countries so that data comparison and validation can be done within the NAA group.

Session 3-3: Report of project activities and outcomes on Nuclear Safety Strengthening

4. Radiation Safety and Radioactive Waste Management
   This project aims to promote radiation safety at nuclear facilities and activities related to the radioactive waste management among the member countries through exchanging and sharing information as well as experience-based knowledge.
   The purpose of the ongoing phase is to understand and summarize the current situation of each member country related to Naturally Occurring Radiative Materials and Technologically Enhanced Naturally Occurring Radioactive Materials (NORM/TENORM), and to make it useful for their further activities in future. A consolidated report on the NORM/TENORM will be published and it is expected that the document would be useful to foster a safety culture in the FNCA member countries.

Session 3-4: Report of project activities and outcomes on Nuclear Infrastructure Strengthening

5. Nuclear Security and Safeguards
   This project has been strengthening nuclear security and safeguards of the member countries by sharing knowledge and information as well as through cooperation in developing human resources to promote peaceful use of nuclear energy. In this meeting, it was introduced that there were presentations and discussions during the workshop about nuclear forensics, good practice on export controls and Additional Protocol (AP).
   As a theme of next phase, gathering good practice on fostering nuclear security culture, RI security, emerging threat (AI, computer (cyber) security, Beyond DBT), transport security of radioactive materials, and insider threat mitigation have been proposed.

Session 4: Report of ongoing projects.
Session 4-1: Report of project activities and outcomes on Radiation Utilization Development

6. Radiation Processing and Polymer Modification for Agricultural, Environmental and Medical Applications
   This project currently aims to promote development and practical use of new products through a wide utilization of radiation processing in the fields of agriculture, environment and medical care. In this meeting, activities of this phase were reported on the eight R&D subjects, namely "Degraded Chitosan for Animal Feed", "Hydrogel for Medical Application", "Environmental Remediation", "Synergistic Effect among Plant Growth Promoters (PGP), Super Water Absorbents (SWA) and Biofertilizer (BF)", "PGP and SWA, inclusive of Process Development", "Mutation Breeding of Microbe using radiation", "Sterilization and sanitization using radiation", and "Recycle plastic".
7. Combating Food Fraud using Nuclear Technology
   This project aims to sharing of information, transfer of knowledge and improving scientific capacity across FNCA member countries, and establishment of a federated fingerprint database and development of provenance technology platform to comply with traceability requirements for trade. The outcome of the project is expected to contribute to scientific development in FNCA member countries.
8. Climate Change (Evaluating the Carbon Emission from Forest Soils)
   The aim of this project is to understand processes driving carbon cycling in terrestrial ecosystems (soils, in particular) and sensitivity to rise in temperature, and thereby to predict carbon cycle feedback to global warming. Through collaboration with the FNCA member countries, the project aims to construct the Asian-scale database in forest soils and a soil CO2 emission model by 14C analysis-based approaches.

Session5: Report from Singapore
Singapore made a presentation titled “Development and Utilization of Nuclear Energy in Singapore”, and expressed intention to widen cooperation with FNCA member countries.

Session6: Evaluation for future activities of the FNCA project
Evaluation of ongoing 3 projects (a. Radiation Processing and Polymer Modification for Agricultural, Environmental and Medical Applications, b. Combating Food Fraud using Nuclear Technology, c. Climate Change (Evaluating the Carbon Emission from Forest Soils)) was done.
Then, evaluation of 5 projects to be proposed to continue (a. Mutation Breeding, b. Radiation Oncology, c. Research Reactor Utilization, d. Radiation Safety and Radioactive Waste Management, e. Nuclear Security and Safeguards) was done. After the discussion, all projects were admitted to continue.

Session7: Draft Plan for Commemorative Events for FNCA 25th Anniversary
FNCA will celebrate 25^th anniversary in 2024, so contents of commemorative events were introduced.

Session 8: IAEA/RCA Presentation
Presentation about current activities of RCA and cooperation between FNCA and RCA was introduced.

Session 9: FNCA Awards
FNCA awards was suspended because of COVID-19, but it was proposed to restart and next awards will be granted at next MLM in 2024.

Session 10: Adoption of “Conclusions and Recommendations”
Draft of Conclusions and Recommendations of the meeting was provided by Dr. TAMADA. The Conclusions and Recommendations was confirmed after discussion, and adopted by all member countries (i.e., FNCA coordinator of each country) after the meeting.

Conclusions and Recommendations of the 24th FNCA Coordinators Meeting

1. Based on the Joint Communiques of the 24th FNCA Ministerial-Level Meeting (MLM) on the new course of FNCA, the Coordinators Meeting (“the meeting") recognizing the value of the nuclear science and technology field as well as the radiation utilization and related FNCA projects in areas such as nuclear safety, security culture, sustainable agricultural development, food security and safety, environmentally sound industrial development, climate change impact mitigation and protection of natural ecosystems, reaffirming that the main role and objective of FNCA is research and development, knowledge and information sharing and capacity building, for the social and economic well-being of Member Countries, agreed to further develop FNCA’s activities. Furthermore, the meeting agreed that Member Countries shall seek to achieve gender equality in the nuclear science and technology field, including through the promotion of gender balance and generation diversity.
2. In the meeting, final reports of the projects at the phase end were presented followed by proposals for new continuation on the following five projects: Mutation Breeding, Radiation Oncology, Research Reactor Utilization, Radiation Safety and Radioactive Waste Management, and Nuclear Security and Safeguards.
3. Evaluations and major comments on the phase end-of-project
   1) Mutation Breeding
   New mutant lines or varieties of main crops such as rice, soybean, etc. with resistance to diseases and insects, heat and cold, flood, draught, and salinity as well as higher yielding in low fertilizer conditions were developed and released. These achievements have effectively promoted agricultural activities in participating countries.
   2) Radiation Oncology
   This project has intended to establish optimal treatments for predominant cancers such as cervical cancer, nasopharyngeal carcinoma, and breast cancer in the FNCA countries. Conducting several clinical studies of radiotherapy and chemotherapy led standard protocols, which have contributed to improvement of the treatment outcomes in the regions. Regarding palliative radiotherapy, synergy between FNCA and IAEA/RCA is expected by information exchange with Standardizing Radiotherapy in Palliative Care (RCA).
   3) Research Reactor Utilization
   This project has accelerated mutual understanding of the characteristics, usage conditions and other factors surrounding tests for research reactors and improvement of technical skill level of researchers as well as technicians for NAA (Neutron Activation Analysis) using research reactors. In 2023 workshop, the Performance and Lifetime Management Program (PMP) for research reactors was discussed as an aging research reactor issue.
   4) Radiation Safety and Radioactive Waste Management
   Nature-origin radioactive waste is not subject to normal laws and regulations and is unamenable to its control. This project investigated the situation of such Naturally Occurring Radioactive Materials (NORM) & Technologically Enhanced Naturally Occurring Radioactive Materials (TENORM) from viewpoint of environmental and technological radiation protection and contributed to promotion of a safety culture in FNCA countries.
   5) Nuclear Security and Safeguards
   his project raised awareness of the importance of nuclear security and safeguards and promoted capacity building for nuclear security and safeguards by sharing related experience, knowledge, and information to promote the peaceful use of nuclear energy.
4. With improved procedures endorsed at the 17th MLM for evaluating project proposals, all FNCA coordinators performed ex-ante evaluation of the five above-mentioned projects newly proposed for continuation, from viewpoints of relevance, effectiveness, efficiency, impact, and sustainability.
5. Evaluation and major comments on the projects newly proposed for continuation
   In the meeting, it was reported that, based on the evaluations, there was no score ‘Low’ on any evaluation criteria in all projects, and that budgetary arrangement of the projects was supported by Japan. The newly proposed continuation of the projects was adopted without any objections. Major comments of each project are as follows:
   1) Mutation Breeding
   Member countries expect the development of mutant varieties that can contribute to sustainable agriculture, in particular to the creation of biotic and abiotic stress-tolerant varieties, as well as to adapt to the environmental stresses caused by climate change.
   This project intends to acquire useful knowledge about genetic mechanisms in the mutation and introduces an image analysis technology in the screening process to improve the efficiency of mutation breeding technology for low-input sustainable agriculture contributing to climate change.
   2) Radiation Oncology
   In FNCA countries, cervical cancer, nasopharyngeal carcinoma, and breast cancer are the main malignancies. Many patients in these areas are in a relatively advanced stage of the disease, and mortality is high. Therefore, the development and establishment of effective medical strategies for these malignancies has become very important for the public welfare of the region.
   This project continues to pursue clinical trials for cervical cancer, breast cancer, and palliative radiation therapy to optimize the protocols, and initiate new clinical trials based on needs of participating countries.
   3) Research Reactor Utilization
   This project promotes the mutual use of research reactors in FNCA countries and improves the technical level of researchers through isotope production, aging issues, and neutron activation analysis of required environmental samples.
   The following challenges should be considered in this project: More activities and outputs such as human resource developments, other research reactor uses, domestic infrastructure for new research reactors, strategic planning for new research reactors, and activities related to ageing management of existing research reactors.
   4) Radiation Safety and Radioactive Waste Management
   From the perspective of radiation safety, radioactive waste management of NORM (Naturally-Occurring Radioactive Materials) and TENORM (Technologically Enhanced Naturally Occurring Radioactive Materials) is very important for maintaining and improving nuclear safety and radiation utilization in the country. Hence Member Countries show participation in this project.
   The proposed project can contribute to the public health through environmental and technological radiation protection, which will lead to a huge impact on socio-economic development.
   5) Nuclear Security and Safeguards
   This project is highly relevant for the minimization of threats and risks associated with the usage of nuclear and radioactive materials.
   The nuclear security stakeholder matrix can provide a common understanding of the responsibilities of each stakeholder in dealing with nuclear security in participating countries.
6. 6The meeting discussed three ongoing projects. The projects are as follows: Radiation Processing and Polymer Modification, Combating Food Fraud Using Nuclear Technology, and Climate Change (Evaluating the Carbon Emission from Forest Soils).
   Evaluation and major achievements on each project are as follows:
   1) Radiation Processing and Polymer Modification
   This project aims to make technology transfer of the results developed by radiation processing, especially polymer modification, based on the needs requested from the participating countries. Some joint R&Ds with companies have led to practical application especially in biofertilizers and hemostatic agents.
   It is recommended that this project will clarify the direction and the goals toward technology transfer in ongoing research fields to proceed with R&Ds meeting to present needs in the participating countries.
   2) Combating Food Fraud Using Nuclear Technology
   The purpose of this project is to conduct cooperative research of database development to determine origins of seafoods and to reduce the number of cases of food origin fraud in the supply chain.
   When a prototype of a food provenance database is developed, the meeting expects a demonstration that will quickly reveal the origin of circulating food using a portable X-ray fluorescence spectrometer at the sampling sites.
   3) Climate Change (Evaluating the Carbon Emission from Forest Soils)
   This project, starting in this year, held the first workshop to share the information of dominant forest types and soil types for selection of optimum locations and soil samples.
   Soil sampling following the manual is an important process to achieve the accuracy of the prototype database. It is recommended to accurately convey soil sampling know-how to the participating countries and improve their proficiency level.
7. Comprehensive evaluation of FNCA projects in 2023
   1) Almost all projects held workshops as in person meeting combining with web manner. Such workshops realized the active discussion, information exchange, and activities such as technical visits, hand-on trainings, and table-top exercises, that would have been difficult in web meetings during COVID-19 crisis.
   2) Project leaders requested appropriate members of attendance in the workshop. The members consist of a project leader, an expert, an engineer, etc. and can conduct in-depth discussions on the themes of project in the workshop.
8. The meeting agreed that workshops on projects to be organized by Member Countries governments in FY 2024 as shown below. It was confirmed that each host country will proceed with preparations promptly. It is also recommended that the workshops be conducted in face-to-face or a hybrid format that allows in-person participants to have hands-on experience.
9. At the meeting, a report was made from Singapore participating as an observer, on the development and use of nuclear energy, in response to the report requested at last year's ministerial meeting for new membership.
   Singapore reported on the development and utilization of nuclear energy in the country (current status and future plans).
10. At the meeting, IAEA/RCA reported on six programs (Agriculture, Human Health, Environment, Industry, Radiation Safety, and Others) that are active at RCA.
    It was therefore agreed that FNCA should encourage cooperation with IAEA/RCA, which is expected to lead to synergies and wider experience sharing between FNCA and RCA.
11. At the meeting, it was agreed that the FNCA Awards, which had not been held for the past two years due to the COVID-19 pandemic, would be restored, and that the awards would be given at the Ministerial Meeting (MLM) to be held in 2024. The meeting discussed ways of selection for award recipients.
12. At the meeting, there was a lively exchange of views on the "FNCA 25th Anniversary Event Proposal" for 2024, which will mark the 25th anniversary of the FNCA. The meeting agreed to work together to make the 25th anniversary events a success.

Session 11: Closing
The meeting was adjourned with closing remark by Dr. TAMADA.