Vienna /Information Office/ 09 June 2015/ The State of Qatar confirmed its interest in using nuclear technology in the fields of food, agriculture, human health and the environment as well as in the rest of the peaceful uses. Qatar also approved an ambitious program for the establishment of national institutions concerned with the peaceful applications of atomic energy, and initiated a technical cooperation program with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to modernize its laboratories, to participate in training programs and to get advice from the agency's experts. This came in two statements presented by Qatar during the meeting the IAEA Board of Governors, as part of the second item (Annual Report 2014), and the third item (technical cooperation report 2014). HE Ali Khalfan Al Mansouri, Qatar's Ambassador to Austria and Permanent Representative to the international organizations in Vienna, delivered the two statements. Regarding technical cooperation report 2014, HE Al Mansouri said Qatar's delegation supported the statement by Egyptian Ambassador on behalf of the Arab Group, as well as the statement made by the Ambassador of Chile on behalf of the Group of 77 and China within this item. He also appreciated the report of the Director-General on the implementation of technical cooperation program 2014 and the detailed information provided on the level of implementation which reflected the importance of the program in supporting developing countries in the use of nuclear technology in agricultural and health care domains, in management of water resources, in environmental protection and in harnessing nuclear power to generate electricity. In order to keep active technical cooperation in providing technical assistance to countries, HE Al Mansouri called on the general secretariat to continue to strengthen and develop its joint working methods with member states through consultation to assist them in aspects of the required implementation and explore new prospects for such cooperation. He expressed Qatar's appreciation for the IAEA's efforts in building capacities, adding that the report in its paragraph 60 pointed to the support provided by the Agency to the project number (QAT/5/004) "Upgrading the Central Food Laboratory". His Excellency also reiterated Qatar's support to increase technical cooperation fund resources at a rate similar to that in the resources allocated to non promotional activities in the general budget, adding it is necessary to maintain a balance between promotional activities and other activities of the Agency. He expressed satisfaction at the fruitful cooperation between Qatar and the technical cooperation department, pointing out that Qatar will continue to pay regularly its contributions in the technical cooperation program.