Improving social, economic and environmental benefits is the shared objective of countries belonging to the Regional Co-operative Agreement for Research, Development and Training Related to Nuclear Science and Technology for Asia and the Pacific (RCA). The Government Parties to the Cooperative Agreement work with the IAEA to achieve this goal by sharing knowledge and expertise in nuclear science and isotope technologies to enhance agriculture, human health, environment, and industry.

The Medium Term Strategy (MTS) for 2018-2023 is the key strategic plan for improving RCA's development effectiveness. It articulates how RCA can best discharge its Mission and utilize the instruments and processes at its disposal to maximize its contribution to the development goals of its Government Parties. The MTS sets out the Vision, Mission and a set of strategic directions and priorities for the RCA as an extension of the Medium Term Strategy for the period 2012-2017.

The objective of the meeting was to discuss and agree on the final draft of the RCA Medium-Term Strategy (MTS) 2018-2023 and Action Plan for Implementation of the MTS, which are to be presented for the consideration and approval of the 44th RCA GCM that will take place on 11 September 2015, Vienna, Austria.

In her opening address to the meeting participants, Ms. Najat Mokhtar, Director of the Division for Asia and the Pacific in the IAEA Department of Technical Cooperation, thanked the participants for volunteering to partake in this important Working Group and highlighted the importance of developing a workable strategy that will have a positive impact on the socio-economic status in the region and will include new areas for development.

Throughout the week, the meeting participants discussed and agreed on the major components of the draft MTS such as the RCA Operational Management, the Strategic Directions and Priorities, the requisite Performance Indicators and the Execution of the RCA MTS. The meeting concluded with a draft of the RCA Medium-Term Strategy (MTS) 2018-2023 and an Action Plan for Implementation of the MTS which will be circulated for the consideration and review of the Member States prior to the upcoming 44th RCA General Conference.