Passing of José Israel Vargas

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs regrets the passing of the scientist and former Minister of Science and Technology of Brazil, José Israel Vargas, which occurred today, 15 May, in Belo Horizonte.

Born in Paracatu, Minas Gerais, in 1928, José Israel Vargas studied physics and chemistry and earned a PhD in Nuclear Sciences from the University of Cambridge. He was a professor at the Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG) and a member of the National Nuclear Energy Commission (CNEN). He was among the chief architects of Brazil’s nuclear policy in the 1960s.

Vargas had a distinguished career in international bodies devoted to the advancement of science and culture. He served on UNESCO’s Advisory Committee on Policies for International Intellectual Cooperation and sat on the Council of the United Nations University Institute of Advanced Studies. During the 1980s he represented Brazil several times on UNESCO’s Executive Board, which he chaired from 1987 to 1989.

He was President of the Brazilian Academy of Sciences (1991–1993), Minister of Science and Technology of Brazil (1992–1999) and Permanent Delegate of Brazil to UNESCO (2000–2003).

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs extends its deepest condolences to the family and friends of José Israel Vargas.