Mr. Alfa Bocar ,NAFO, Malian Minister of Energy and Water Resources and Kwaku Aning, IAEA Deputy Director General and Head of the Department of Technical Cooperation, have signed Mali's Country Programme Framework (CPF) for the period of 2012 - 2016 on 18 September 2012. A Country Programme Framework (CPF) is the frame of reference for the medium-term planning of technical cooperation between a Member State and the IAEA and identifies priority areas where the transfer of nuclear technology and technical cooperation resources will be directed to support national development goals.

Mali has been an IAEA Member State since 1961. Its 2012-2016 CPF identifies six priority areas:

1. Human Health
2. Energy Planning
3. Radiation Safety and Protection
4. Food and Agriculture
5. Water Resources Management
6. Nuclear Science and Education