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The Cabinet Office and the Japan Atomic Energy Commission (JAEC) held the 23rd FNCA Ministerial Level Meeting (MLM) on October 31, 2022, jointly hosted by Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Education and Science, and Nuclear Energy Commission in Mongolia. This meeting is held to give the ministers responsible for nuclear science and related fields from 12 FNCA member countries an opportunity to engage in policy discussions once a year with the aim of promoting regional cooperation related to the peaceful use of nuclear energy.
At this meeting, Mr. Hua Liu, Deputy Director General of International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), gave a keynote speech entitled "Addressing Inequity in Cancer Care" and Dr. Uranchimeg Tsegmed, Chief of Operation Officers, Radiation Oncologist of Department of Radiation Oncology, National Cancer Center of Mongolia, gave a keynote speech entitled "Development of LINAC based new technologies in Mongolia" respectively. Then a policy dialogue (round table discussion) was held on the main subject of this meeting, "Enhancing Radiation Cancer Therapy in Asian Region" with lead speeches made by the representatives from Japan and Bangladesh. Country reports were given on the nuclear energy policies, progress of the nuclear related activities and status of the radiation cancer therapy in the member countries. The meeting was concluded with the adoption of the Joint Communique, which addresses "The normalization of FNCA project activities and regular meetings", "Promotion of cancer treatments with radiation technology in Asia", and others. Throughout the meeting, there was an active exchange of opinions and information among the participants.(Program)(Participants List)
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(1) Opening
At the beginning of the meeting, Ms. Battsetseg Batmunkh, Minister for Foreign Affairs of the State of Mongolia delivered an opening speech and Ms. Takaichi Sanae, the Minister of State for Science and Technology Policy, Japan, delivered remarks (read out by Dr Uesaka Mitsuru, Chairman of JAEC). In her remarks, she expressed his highest respect to the representatives of each member country who have shown leadership in their respective organizations during the nearly three-year-long COVID-19 pandemic and noted a) FNCA has made outstanding achievements in all important areas of peaceful uses of nuclear energy since its establishment in 2000, b) Today's policy discussion including the radiation cancer therapy should be reflected in FNCA project activities, of which results should also be disseminated to the local communities, c) In view of the discussions and resolutions at COP26, the nuclear science and technology will be re-evaluated for realizing a carbon-neutral society, and concluded by d) Wish for the early and complete revival of the FNCA project activities, which have been stagnated due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
 
(2) Keynote Speeches
Mr. Hua Liu, Deputy Director General, Department of Technical Cooperation, International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), who launched the project of "Rays of Hope" and Dr. Uranchimeg Tsegmed, Chief of Operation Officers, Radiation Oncologist of Department of Radiation Oncology, National Cancer Center of Mongolia gave a keynote speech respectively.
1) Mr. Hua Liu, Deputy Director General, Head of the Department for Technical Cooperation, International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA): "Addressing Inequity in Cancer Care"
"Rays of Hope" is the project launched in February 2022 to solve inequity in cancer care among the regions or countries in the world. "Rays of Hope" is a comprehensive approach designed to support developing countries in cancer care, aligning existing technical and economic resources in member states. The aim is a contribution to the infrastructure development for access to advanced clinical services, human resource development through the expansion of related educations and trainings, and to devote to building the foundation for advanced radiation therapy.
2) Dr. Uranchimeg Tsegmed, Chief of Operation Officers, Radiation Oncologist of Department of Radiation Oncology, National Cancer Center of Mongolia: "Development of LINAC based new technologies in Mongolia"
She introduced history of radiation utilization in Mongolia, overview of diagnosis and treatment in the National Cancer Center of Mongolia. She also introduced Linear Accelerator (LINAC) Project implemented in 2015 - 2019. She explained international cooperation for the LINAC, and future plans for the development of new technologies based on LINAC, prospect of introducing LINAC-based advanced medical equipment, as well as a plan for cancer therapy expansion in Mongolia.
 
(3) Round Table Discussion
Dr. Uesaka chaired the discussion, and Japan and Bangladesh made lead speeches on the main topic of this meeting, "Enhancing Radiation Cancer Therapy in Asian Region" followed by Q&A sessions and discussions. The lead speeches are summarized as follows;
1) Prof. Kato Shingo, Saitama Medical University, Japan, outlined activities of FNCA Radiation Oncology Project and introduced international multi-center clinical studies on cervical cancer, QA/QC activities of dose audits for radiation therapies, educational activities, dissemination and collaboration with IAEA/RCA.
2) Dr. A.F.M. Kamal Uddin, Associate Professor, National Institute of Ear, Nose & Throat, Bangladesh, reported on current status, challenges and prospects of radiation cancer therapy in Bangladesh. He addressed the current situation, where there is a large disparity between developed countries and developing countries in population ratio of those who can access to radiation therapy. He explained history of radiation therapy treatment and challenges such as distribution of essential facilities and lack of manpower to implement radiation therapy in Bangladesh. He emphasized importance of collaboration with international organization including IAEA and FNCA to solve these challenges and disseminate radiation therapy.
3) Prof. Karasawa Kumiko, Tokyo Women's Medical University, Japan, made a presentation on radiotherapy for breast cancer. She explained overall importance of radiation therapy on breast cancer, high efficacy of hypofractionated radiation therapy with whole breast irradiation in early-stage breast cancer, and post mastectomy radiation therapy on locally-advanced breast cancer. She introduced future plans to develop hypofractionated radiotherapy widely in all FNCA member countries.
  
(4) Country Reports
The representatives from each country reported about progress of their recent nuclear energy policies and nuclear related activities, as well as status of the radiation cancer therapy. As for Japan, Mr. Kakudo Takafumi, Deputy Director General for Science, Technology and Innovation Policy, Cabinet Office of Japan (CAO) presented a report. It includes, a) nuclear energy use to achieve Carbon Neutrality in 2050, b) current status of ALPS (Advanced Liquid Processing System) treated water issue, c) action plan to promote utilization of medical radioisotopes and d) efforts on development and securing of human resources in the nuclear field.
(5) Reports for FNCA Activities
Mr. Wada Tomoaki, FNCA coordinator of Japan, reported on the overview of the 22nd Coordinators Meeting held in June 2022 and "Annual Achievement and Project Activities". The outline of Study Panel held in March 2022 was reported by Mr. Sano Toshio, Commissioner of JAEC.
(6) Joint Communique
The meeting confirmed contents of Joint Communique, which include efforts toward the normalization of FNCA project activities and regular meetings, cooperation with the relevant international organizations to develop and disseminate radiation therapy, and others. The communique was adopted after adjustments reflecting some comments. (Full Text (PDF208KB))
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