A Country Programme Framework (CPF), prepared by a Member State in collaboration with the Secretariat, defines mutually agreed priority development needs and interests to be supported through technical cooperation activities. A CPF reflects national development plans and priorities, country specific analyses and lessons learned from past cooperation, and also takes into consideration the Sustainable Development Goals, as appropriate. This ensures that the application of nuclear technologies is integrated with existing development initiatives and plans, and supports the identification of areas where such technologies might be usefully deployed. A CPF generally covers a period of four to six years.

CPFs are characterized by:

• ?A close dialogue between Member States and the IAEA as partners, ensuring greater ownership of the programme.
• The linking of the project selection process to well defined national development objectives and priorities to ensure the relevance of IAEA’s support and the sustainability and impact of technical cooperation activities.
• Great emphasis on national competencies and capabilities in order to optimize the role and participation of Member States in the programme.
• Opportunities to contribute to the global development agenda and build partnerships between the IAEA, national and regional institutions, the UN and other international organizations.