Post by Diana Gamazova

Rafael Mariano Grossi in Kazakhstan: Nuclear Pacts, Prestige and Friendship International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi arrived in Kazakhstan on May 25–27 for high-level talks on nuclear energy, science, and medical applications. The President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev awarded Grossi the First-Degree Dostyk (Friendship) Order, Kazakhstan's prestigious symbol of enduring bilateral cooperation. Sides signed three landmark documents: 1. A 10-year Cooperation Roadmap (2026–2036) covering nuclear infrastructure, capacity building, and technical cooperation. 2. An agreement with Kazakhstan's National Research Oncology Centre to advance radiation oncology, nuclear medicine, diagnostic imaging, medical physics, radiopharmacy, and radiation safety. 3. Additional documents in the fields of nuclear science. The #IAEA now views #Kazakhstan as a future player across the full nuclear fuel cycle. Therefore, the country hosts the world's only IAEA Low Enriched Uranium (LEU) Bank with 90 metric tonnes of uranium hexafluoride held as a global reserve in case of supply disruption. Kazakhstan is also building its first "Balkhash" nuclear power plant, with plans for a second and third. Kazakhstan also adopted a Comprehensive Plan for Nuclear Industry Production Localisation for 2026–2030. President Tokayev himself noted: "A highly ambiguous situation has developed in the world, requiring a combination of efforts to develop common approaches to solving global problems." Thus, anchoring a decade-long IAEA partnership with Kazakhstan. The Kazakhstan visit carries added weight given that Grossi confirmed his candidacy for UN Secretary-General. Speaking at an event hosted by the Argentine Council for International Relations (CARI), Grossi said the UN must rediscover its founding values, tackle bureaucracy and act decisively to prevent conflict and respond to crises. "We need a secretary-general who puts on their boots and goes where the problem is," said the veteran diplomat, "We must always move forward, open doors and find solutions" to global security problems, he added. Acknowledging the structural challenges facing the United Nations, Grossi called for frank and comprehensive reform. "There are many things that are not functioning well," he said, urging a reform agenda pursued "without hypocrisy." He is one of the top contenders to succeed António Guterres, who steps down in December 2026. By tradition of geographic rotation, the post is due to go to Latin America next. His rivals include former Chilean President Michelle Bachelet and Costa Rica's Rebeca Grynspan. I had the honour of communicating with and listening to Rafael Mariano Grossi's lecture last year and cannot emphasise enough the professionalism, passion, and his love for the work he does. A brilliant diplomat, a truly Delphic leader, and a rare professional I always look up to in my own work. The world needs more of that!