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New Members Elected to IAEA Board of Governors

Source: International Atomic Energy Agency – IAEA

The plenary at the 68th General Conference. (Photo: IAEA/ A.Barber Huescar).

Eleven countries have been newly elected to serve on the 35-member IAEA Board of Governors for the 2024–2025 period. The election took place on Thursday, 19 September, at the plenary session of the 68th IAEA General Conference.

The newly elected Board members are the following: Argentina, Colombia, Egypt, Italy, Luxembourg, Georgia, Ghana, Morocco, Pakistan, Thailand and the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela.

For the 2024-2025 period, the new composition of the 35-member IAEA Board will be as follows:  Algeria, Argentina, Armenia, Australia, Bangladesh, Belgium, Brazil, Burkina Faso, Canada, China, Colombia, Ecuador, Egypt, France, Georgia, Germany, Ghana, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, the Republic of Korea, Luxembourg, Morocco, the Kingdom of the Netherlands, Pakistan, Paraguay, the Russian Federation, South Africa, Spain, Thailand, Ukraine, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, the United States of America and the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela.

The Board of Governors is one of the two policy-making bodies of the IAEA, along with the annual General Conference of IAEA Member States. The Board will meet on Monday, 23 September, to elect its officers.

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68th IAEA General Conference: Day 3 Highlights

Source: International Atomic Energy Agency – IAEA

The two-day event emphasized the tangible impact and practical approach of  the Atoms4Food initiative, which was launched last year by the IAEA and the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization.

You can catch up on the video recording of the Scientific Forum  here, and read the latest  IAEA Bulletin on Atoms4Food to find out more.

At the annual Treaty Event on the sidelines of the 68th General Conference, Liberia and South Africa joined multiple multilateral treaties under IAEA auspices. Liberia pledged its commitment to nuclear safety and security by consenting to be bound by six legal instruments. South Africa deposited an instrument of acceptance of the African Regional Co-operative Agreement for Research, Development and Training Related to Nuclear Science and Technology (AFRA), established by African Member States to strengthen the contribution of nuclear science and technology to socioeconomic development on the African continent.

Side events

A new Anchor Centre at the Faculty of Medicine in Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University, Thailand was formally established at Realizing Hope for All: Rays of hope Anchor Centres – One Year On event today. It brings the total number of Anchor Centres around the world to ten. Anchor Centres are central to the IAEA Rays of Hope: Cancer Care for All initiative and provide targeted support to neighbouring countries in key areas such as education, training, research, innovation and quality assurance. The event marked one year since the signing of the first five Anchor Centres at last year’s General Conference.

A Creating the Future Global Nuclear Workforce through Exchange and Practice: Lise Meitner Programme and Beyond event highlighted the capacity building support offered by the IAEA, including advisory services and training courses, as well the Lise Meitner Programme, an initiative launched in 2023 to provide early- and mid-career women professionals with opportunities to participate in a visiting professional programme and bolster their technical and soft skills. Also in focus was the Open-source Nuclear Codes for Reactor Analysis (ONCORE) framework for simulation tools which supports research, education and training for the analysis of advanced nuclear power reactors

A Sharing Experience of Communities Hosting Nuclear Facilities event highlighted how transparency and open dialogue with host communities are vital to the long-term sustainability of nuclear power programmes. The event featured speakers from municipal governments in Argentina, Canada, Hungary, Japan, and the United States of America as well as representatives from national ministries in Canada and Japan.

The SMR Platform: Advances in Nuclear Technology Developments for Microreactors side event explored recent advances in microreactor development as well as security aspects and ‘safeguards by design’ approaches. The IAEA’s newly redesigned Advanced Reactor Information System was also presented. It provides comprehensive and up-to-date information about advanced nuclear plant designs and concepts.  

Microreactors are generally designed to produce no more than 20 MW(e) and have been proposed as a solution for the electricity needs of remote communities and to power non-electric applications including desalination and chemical production.                                           

The IAEA’s ten-year vision to update safety standards for advanced nuclear power plants (NPPs) was presented at a Safety of Advanced Nuclear Power Plant Designs: Enabling the Future side event. This vision is underpinned by the findings in IAEA Safety Report No. 123, which reviews the applicability of safety standards to non-water-cooled reactors and small modular reactors.

An event on The Declaration of the Arab Roadmap for Cooperation in Radiological and Nuclear Emergency Preparedness and Response how the State Declarations Portal (SDP) highlighted how technology can make Member States’ reporting obligations easier to deliver. By reducing paper-based processes and enhancing institutional memory, SDP has significantly improved both the efficiency and security of safeguards-related information exchange with the IAEA.

At an event on Addressing Challenges in Managing Legacy Radioactive Waste representatives of Georgia, the Republic of Moldova and Ukraine shared the results of successful IAEA technical cooperation projects to analyse, transfer and store radioactive waste left from historic nuclear activities.  

The Powering the Future through Atoms4NetZero event illustrated the importance of energy scenario modelling for mapping out long-term energy strategies and how the IAEA’s Atoms4NetZero initiative can help countries reach their net zero targets with nuclear power.

At a Safeguards Traineeships: Forging the Future Safeguards Workforce, delegates attending the were briefed on the successes of the Safeguards Traineeship Programme and learnt about the new IAEA TechTrack initiative for young professionals.

Since 1983, the Safeguards Traineeship Programme has been instrumental in providing young people with hands-on experience in IAEA safeguards. Since its launch, 185 trainees from 77 countries have participated in the programme. In particular, the traineeship targets those from States with limited nuclear fuel cycles, and that are recipients of IAEA technical assistance.

Member States side events

Delegates heard how Canada’s nuclear sector has recently pioneered the use of nuclear power plants for medical isotope production, at the event Canada Fights Cancer: New Frontiers in Isotope Production . This event hosted members of Canada’s isotope and radiopharmaceutical sector in discussions around current and future opportunities for medical isotope and radiopharmaceutical production, utilization and collaborations. It was organized by Canada.

In the Effective Low – Cost Strategies to Mitigate the Loss of Critical Nuclear Knowledge side event, Brazil’s National Nuclear Energy Commission (CNEN) presented Brazil’s knowledge management practices in the nuclear field and related areas and discussed the impacts of the IAEA’s knowledge management events and tools on building this programme.

At The Implementation of Radon Action Plans event, countries discussed how to reduce exposure to radon, a carcinogenic radioactive gas, one of the leading causes of lung cancer according to the World Health Organization. Countries, including Portugal and Ireland, shared their experiences in recent years. The event was organized by Portugal.

Mr Grossi with Raja Ali Raza Anwar, Governor and Chairman of the Pakistani Atomic Energy Commission.

At the Pakistan – IAEA: Collaboration of Hope event, visitors heard now Pakistan’s Atomic Energy Cancer Hospital (AECH) was designated as an Anchor Centre under the IAEA’s Rays of Hope: Cancer Care for All initiative in September 2023.  The side event highlighted the contributions of AECH in the management of cancer burden in Pakistan and their potential role as an Anchor Centre.

The French New Nuclear Program: Revitalizing Nuclear Ambitions provided an in-depth exploration of France’s new nuclear programme. It includes the construction of six new EPR reactors, with an option for an additional eight units. The event covered progress to date, outlined the key challenges faced, pointed out synergies and lessons learned from past projects and discussed the strategies implemented to ensure successful delivery of the projects.

The Enhancing National Cancer Diagnosis and Treatment Infrastructure in Romania: Tripartite Collaboration with IAEA and the World Bank for Fighting Cancer through Rays of Hope Initiative event was organized by Romania. It presented how comprehensive joint projects carried out by the IAEA in collaboration with its Ministry of Health and the World Bank have focused on improving radiotherapy services in Romania, including training programmes for medical staff. 

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Liberia Commits to the Safe and Secure Uses of Nuclear Technology by Joining Six IAEA Legal Instruments at Once

Source: International Atomic Energy Agency – IAEA

“Law is the basis of everything we do. We – the IAEA – cannot act, we cannot move, we cannot give you the support you need unless you have a normative structure establishing a solid basis to enable our experts to do their work. There are a number of very important legal instruments that keep you on track with everything, and I am very grateful for your actions today in joining some of them,” Mr Grossi said, addressing the representatives from Liberia and South Africa.

Resident Representative of the Republic of Liberia to the IAEA, Youngor Sevelee Telewoda, deposited five instruments on behalf of Liberia.

The Convention on Early Notification of a Nuclear Accident, adopted in 1986 following the Chornobyl nuclear plant accident, establishes a notification system for nuclear accidents that have an actual or a potential international transboundary release that could affect radiological safety in another country.

The Convention on Assistance in the Case of a Nuclear Accident or Radiological Emergency, also adopted in 1986 following the Chornobyl accident, sets out an international framework for co-operation to facilitate prompt assistance in the event of nuclear accidents or radiological emergencies.

The Convention on Nuclear Safety (CNS) aims to commit those parties operating land-based civil nuclear power plants to maintain a high level of safety by establishing fundamental safety principles. The convention obliges parties to submit reports on the implementation of their obligations for peer review.

The Convention on the Physical Protection of Nuclear Material (CPPNM) and its 2005 Amendment are the main international legal instruments in the area of nuclear security adopted under the IAEA’s auspices. The CPPNM establishes legal obligations regarding the physical protection of nuclear material used for peaceful purposes during international transport; the criminalization of certain offences involving nuclear material; and international cooperation, for example, in the case of theft, robbery or any other unlawful taking of nuclear material or credible threat thereof. The Amendment expands the CPPNM in all these areas.

South Africa accepts the African Regional Co-operative Agreement for Research, Development and Training Related to Nuclear Science and Technology

IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi and Rapulane Molekane, Resident Representative of South Africa to the IAEA. (Photo: D. Calma/IAEA)

Rapulane Molekane, Resident Representative of South Africa to the IAEA, deposited an instrument of acceptance of the African Regional Co-operative Agreement for Research, Development and Training Related to Nuclear Science and Technology (AFRA) on behalf of South Africa.

AFRA is an intergovernmental agreement established by African Member States to strengthen the contribution of nuclear science and technology to socioeconomic development on the African continent. AFRA, which first entered into force in 1990 and was revised in 2020, provides a framework for IAEA Member States in Africa to intensify their collaboration through programmes focused on the specific shared needs of its members. Its activities cover a wide range of peaceful applications of nuclear science and technology that contribute to the achievement of national and regional development goals. AFRA now has 38 parties.

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68th IAEA General Conference: Day 2 Highlights

Source: International Atomic Energy Agency – IAEA

The 10th Anniversary of the IAEA ICERR Initiative: Achievements and Opportunities event focused on the International Centres based on Research Reactors (ICERR) scheme. The event was organized by the Republic of Korea and marks the re-designation of the Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute (KAERI) as an ICERR in 2024, as well as the tenth anniversary of the ICERR scheme. Seven Member States currently have research reactors and ancillary facilities currently designated as ICERRs, serving as centres for education, training, and joint research and development projects.

An Atoms4Food & Gender Mainstreaming event was organized by Italy and Women in Nuclear – IAEA. It highlighted the critical role of gender equality in achieving food safety and security, particularly within the IAEA and UN Food and Agriculture Organization’s Atoms4Food initiative.

A Working Together to Ensure and Implement Nuclear and Radiological Safety, Security and Safeguards in Africa event reviewed the efforts and progress made by the Forum of Nuclear Regulatory Bodies in Africa (FNRBA), the African Regional Co-operative Agreement for Research, Development and Training Related to Nuclear Science and Technology (AFRA) and the African Commission on Nuclear Energy (AFCONE) in developing infrastructure for nuclear and radiological safety and security and safeguards in Africa. The event was organized by Ghana.

In Kazakhstan’s Experience in Developing Radiopharmaceutical Production Technologies and Nuclear Medicine Methods event, Kazakhstan shared its experience of developing radioisotopes and radiopharmaceuticals at the Institute of Nuclear Physics. It also discussed how this led to the development of radionuclide diagnostic and treatment methods in the country’s leading medical centres, including through their collaboration with the IAEA’s technical cooperation programme.

Norway’s side event Advances in HEU Minimization took stock of international developments in highly enriched uranium (HEU) minimization in the six years since the last International Symposium on HEU Minimization in 2018 and evaluated past successes, highlight recent accomplishments, and explore ongoing efforts to further HEU minimization.

Japan’s Alpha-emitting Radiopharmaceuticals as an Effective Treatment for Metastatic Cancer – Clinical Trial and Its Applications in Society workshop focused on nuclear medicine therapy using alpha emitting radionuclides such as Ac-225 and At-211 in particular.

An event Facilitating the Early Entry into Force of the IAEA Article VI Amendment organized by the Republic of Slovenia, the Republic of Korea, Brazil, Namibia and the European Union, sought to raise awareness of the Amendment to Article VI of the Statute among Member States.

The Declaration of the Arab Roadmap for Cooperation in Radiological and Nuclear Emergency Preparedness and Response event was organized by Tunisia. It showcased the joint announcement by the League of Arab States, the Arab Atomic Energy Agency (AAEA), and the IAEA of the Arab Roadmap on Emergency Preparedness and Response. Initiated by the IAEA Director General Grossi in June 2022, the roadmap aims to strengthen the capabilities of Arab countries in preparing for and responding to nuclear and radiological emergencies. The IAEA’s Incident and Emergency Centre has supported the roadmap’s development, ensuring it aligns with international standards.

The 16th Plenary Meeting of Forum of Nuclear Regulatory Bodies in Africa (FNRBA) is convened annually and was organized this year by Ghana. The Plenary Meeting is the highest decision-making body of the FNRBA, and reviews review and approves the work plan and provide policy direction.

The IFNEC and Women in Nuclear Power Hour: Women at the Core of Nuclear Energy event was an opportunity to hear from members of Women in Nuclear Global (WiN Global) and of the International Framework for Nuclear Energy Cooperation (IFNEC). The session kicked off with brief opening remarks and set off a series of ‘lightning talks’, featuring women leaders who shared their personal journeys. The event was organized by the United States of America.

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IAEA Scientific Forum on Food Security Opens

Source: International Atomic Energy Agency – IAEA

Abdulhamid Alkhalifa, President of the OPEC Fund for International Development, emphasized the importance of partnerships in addressing global hunger. “Our renewed partnership with the IAEA will scale up the financing of nuclear technologies for agriculture, helping to strengthen food security and resilience,” he said. Mr Alkhalifa praised the collaborative efforts between the OPEC Fund and the IAEA, stressing that combining financial resources and nuclear science can drive innovation and improve food systems in vulnerable regions. 

Musalia Mudavadi, Prime Cabinet Secretary of Kenya, echoed these sentiments, highlighting the importance of innovative approaches in Africa, where food insecurity is a growing concern. “There is an urgent need to accelerate the transformation of our agri-food systems with innovative approaches to enhance their resilience against major challenges and address existing inequalities,” he said. Mr Mudavadi emphasized Kenya’s commitment to leveraging nuclear technology to boost food production, including extending the shelf life of crops through food irradiation. 

Liu Jing, Vice Chairman of the China Atomic Energy Authority, underscored China’s commitment to its partnership with the IAEA. “China is willing to work with IAEA to take concrete actions in support of the “Atoms for Food” initiative, jointly promoting the innovation and application of nuclear energy and nuclear application in agriculture, and continuously deepening South-South cooperation in food security.”  

Sidi Tiémoko Toure, from the Ministry of Animal and Fisheries Resources in Côte d’Ivoire, highlighted the importance of its work with the IAEA in Africa, stating, “The Atoms4Food initiative, which is part of the fight against food insecurity, is an innovative approach that raises great hopes for Africa.” 

Leila Benali, from the Ministry of Energy Transition and Sustainable Development in the Kingdom of Morocco, highlighted Morocco’s decades-long partnership with the IAEA. “Since joining the IAEA in 1957, Morocco has embraced the use of nuclear science and technology for peaceful purposes across various sectors, including agriculture and water. By recognizing early on and leveraging the significant benefits of these technologies, Morocco has committed to advancing their application for the betterment of society.” 

Fernando Mattos of the Ministry of Livestock, Agriculture and Fisheries in Uruguay, highlighted the importance of nuclear technologies in the global fight against poverty. “Uruguay is very thankful because of our cooperation with the Agency and we are looking forward to working together with more cooperation and more research among us in order to face the challenges to achieve SDG1.”  

Giorgio Silli of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation in Italy emphasized, “Italy sees great potential in combining our strength to address some of the most pressing global challenges related to food security, sustainability and technological innovation.”  

The Scientific Forum continues in the afternoon and the next day with three technical sessions, followed by a closing session. 

For more information on the IAEA Scientific Forum 2024, visit the programme. 

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IAEA Director General: “This Agency is and will continue to be at your service”

Source: International Atomic Energy Agency – IAEA

The Director General went on to describe developments in the other core areas of the Agency’s work, namely nuclear safety, security and safeguards. 

He discussed the Agency’s ongoing presence at Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant in Ukraine, where experts have now completed 23 rotations, and mentioned his recent visit to Kursk, “where the situation is serious”. 

“A nuclear power plant should never be attacked under any circumstances, irrespective of the place where these nuclear power plants are situated,” he reiterated. 

Mr Grossi also said he is looking forward to engaging with the new president and government of Iran, and to the IAEA continuing “in our indispensable efforts to give the credible assurances to the international community that that nuclear programme is peaceful.” And that the IAEA is “moving forward in trying to bring clarity” to ongoing issues of concern with Syria. 

“So there are challenges ahead, but they are not insurmountable. 

“And I reiterate, here and now, my disposition to continue our efforts. In all of these points, the IAEA is showing its active contribution to the world agenda.”

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IAEA General Conference Elects Korean Ambassador as Conference President

Source: International Atomic Energy Agency – IAEA

The Republic of Korea’s Permanent Representative has been elected as the President of the IAEA’s 68th General Conference.

Sang Wook Ham was appointed as the Republic of Korea’s (ROK) Permanent Representative to the International Organizations in Vienna in 2022 after an extensive service with the ROK Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The General Conference elects a President at the beginning of each annual session, following consultations among Member States before the conference. They hold office for the duration of the conference. Last year the position was held by Thailand’s Vilawan Mangklatanakul.

Ham’s diplomatic career began in 1991 when he joined the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Korea. His diplomatic assignments have included two postings at the Permanent Mission to the United Nations in New York, the first in his early career and the second as Ambassador and Deputy Permanent Representative. He has also been posted to the Republic of Korea’s embassies in Iraq, the United States and Afghanistan, where he led the Korean Provincial Reconstruction Team.

He held several key leadership positions within the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, including Director of the North Korean Policy Division, Head of the Task Force for the ROK-US Agreement for Peaceful Nuclear Cooperation, Director-General for Non-proliferation and Nuclear Affairs and Deputy Minister for Multilateral and Global Affairs, a position which he held from 2020 until his 2022 appointment in Vienna.

Ham has extensive experience in multilateral diplomacy, the United Nations system, nuclear non-proliferation and human rights, and has represented the Republic of Korea at numerous international meetings and conferences. He has served the international community in a variety of capacities, including as Chair of the Missile Technology Control Regime in 2016, and Chair of the ITF (International Trust Fund) for Enhancing Human Security for 2023-24.

In the course of his career, Ham has received several decorations and awards, including a Presidential Citation in 2012 and an Order of Service Merit with Red Stripes in 2015.

Alongside his current role as the Permanent Representative to the International Organizations in Vienna, Ham also holds bilateral accreditation as the Republic of Korea’s Ambassador to the Republic of Austria and the Republic of Slovenia. Prior to this, he served as Chair of the IAEA Board of Governors in 2022.

Ham holds a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Seoul National University in the Republic of Korea, and a master’s degree in international affairs from Columbia University in the United States of America.

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Mongolia Takes Steps to Enhance Cancer Detection and Treatment Capacities

Source: International Atomic Energy Agency – IAEA

Ochirbat Dagvadorj, then State Secretary of the Ministry of Health of Mongolia, underlined the significance of the joint assessment: “Making quality cancer services and care freely accessible is a priority for our Government,” he said. “The financial burden associated with cancer care has an enormous impact on government spending,” he added. “That is why we need to focus more on the prevention and early detection of cancer, so that the quality of life of patients is improved and at the same time, health spending on cancer care is lessened from a health system perspective.”

In 2022, the WHO-IARC Global Cancer Observatory reported an estimated 6699 new cancer cases in the country. In the same year, close to 5000 people are estimated to have died from the disease. For both men and women, the most common type of cancer is liver cancer. Awareness raising, screening and early detection are key to prevent mortality rates from rising even further.

“The imPACT assessment is a concrete step for the government of Mongolia to progress cancer control in the country, complementing the many efforts that are already undertaken on the ground,” said Socorro Escalante, WHO Representative to Mongolia. “The evidence-based assessment of health system capacities will shape the future of cancer control where it matters most: skilled and competent human resources, early access to quality diagnosis and treatment, optimization of scientific innovation and advanced technologies and improvement of the overall quality of life for individuals and families dealing with cancer,” she added.

The Government of Mongolia is committed to expanding its skilled workforce thanks to international partnerships. In September 2023, Mongolia signed a triangular cooperation agreement with the Korea Institute of Radiological and Medical Sciences (KIRAMS) and the IAEA to strengthen Mongolia’s nuclear medicine and radiation oncology capacity. Under the agreement, existing radiation medicine facilities will be reinforced and expanded, and medical assistance for radiation emergencies in Mongolia will be established. The agreement also defines ambitious areas on which to collaborate through the Rays of Hope initiative – the IAEA’s flagship initiative to expand access to cancer care for all. Radiation medicine experts from KIRAMS joined the imPACT Review mission to Mongolia – a tangible result of the trilateral agreement.

KIRAMS President Jin Kyung LEE announced: “Since partnering with the IAEA in 2011, KIRAMS has been dedicated to advancing radiation medicine, including nuclear medicine and radiation oncology, in developing countries. We are particularly pleased to have successfully transferred nuclear medicine technology to Mongolia, significantly enhancing their cancer treatment capabilities. With the recent three-party cooperation agreement, we aim to continue our impactful projects. We seek ongoing support from the IAEA and related organizations to ensure these initiatives flourish and deliver meaningful outcomes in radiation medicine for Mongolia.”

Mongolia is also a member of the Global Medicine Platform, an initiative by St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital to provide free medicines for children with cancer, and  the WHO’s Cervical  Cancer Elimination Initiative, an initiative which helps governments fight cervical cancer by providing tools for earlier screening, awareness raising and vaccination policies.

The IAEA’s Programme Management Officer for Mongolia, Denis Subbotnitskiy, acknowledged the progress already made to improve cancer control in Mongolia and was confident that the additional data collected during the imPACT Review would help deliver more change for patients with cancer. “It was an honour to witness firsthand the many steps taken already to improve cancer control in Mongolia,” said Subbotnitskiy. “Armed with this additional information, under IAEA’s Rays of Hope initiative, we look forward to tailoring our projects even more to expand access to early cancer diagnosis and care for the citizens of Mongolia. This review will help shape the implementation of projects supported through the IAEA technical cooperation programme, ensuring they deliver maximum impact. By aligning our efforts to the specific needs identified, we aim to strengthen local capacities, enhance radiation therapy services, and ultimately help deliver tangible, life-saving changes for patients battling cancer across the country,” he added.

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Director General briefs Board on role of IAEA diplomacy in Ukraine, Iran and Syria, and more

Source: International Atomic Energy Agency – IAEA

Mr Grossi addressed the IAEA’s work in development: enhancing food security, energy security and human health and in fostering innovation in future nuclear technologies.

The Atoms4Food initiative will be the topic of the IAEA’s Scientific Forum, held during the upcoming  IAEA 68th General Conference. Atoms4Food is the most recent IAEA initiative, which DG Grossi launched with the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization to tackle global hunger with both innovative and proven solutions. 

“Food security continues to be a very serious problem that requires urgent attention,” Mr Grossi said.  

”When it comes to the IAEA, attention is not just about words. It is about action, concrete projects, technical cooperation, and innovative solutions that address critical and global challenges.” 

Mr Grossi noted that the IAEA’s Rays of Hope: Cancer Care for All initiative has already made a significant impact worldwide, serving as a vital resource in strengthening radiotherapy and cancer treatment capacities in many countries, and supporting Member States in their fight against cancer. 

In June 2024, Rays of Hope welcomed three new regional Anchor Centres in Argentina, Slovenia, and South Africa, bringing the total to nine, three of them in Africa; three in Asia Pacific, one in Latin America and two in Europe. The process will continue with further anchor centres expected to sign at next week’s General Conference. 

The achievements of the IAEA’s NUTEC Plastics, which monitors plastic pollution and supports recycling using nuclear techniques, and the Zoonotic Disease Integrated Action (ZODIAC) initiative, were also mentioned by Mr Grossi. In total, 128 ZODIAC National Laboratories around the world are working with the IAEA to detect and respond to outbreaks of zoonotic diseases.  

Mr Grossi spoke of preparations for the COP29 conference, to be held in November in Baku, Azerbaijan as part of the ongoing battle against climate change. “There cannot be decarbonisation without nuclear energy. Nuclear energy is not perhaps for all but it does have a very important role to play. Ideology does not have a place when we are having an existential threat in front of us. 

“We saw last year in Dubai at COP28, long overdue acceptance that nuclear energy, alongside renewables, must be accelerated. And this process is going to continue in Baku.” 

Alongside the promise of nuclear fission, the Director General spoke about the technologies of the future and the potential of fusion energy. Mr Grossi spoke of the role of the newly established World Fusion Energy Group (WFEG) in fostering global cooperation to enhance fusion research. The IAEA, together with the Government of Italy, is organizing a ministerial meeting of the WFEG on 6 November in Rome.  

“As you can see, from the hard realities of war in Europe and preventing a nuclear accident, to bringing health, and food to the tables, in developing countries, your Agency, the IAEA, is continuing its work,” concluded the Director General. 

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New IAEA Publication about Detecting Nuclear and Other Radioactive Material out of Regulatory Control

Source: International Atomic Energy Agency – IAEA

A new publication to support competent authorities that have a role in designing, implementing and sustaining nuclear security systems and measures.

A new IAEA publication titled Detection in a State’s Interior of Nuclear and Other Radioactive Material out of Regulatory Control offers law enforcement agencies and frontline officers detailed guidance to support them in combatting criminal acts involving nuclear or other radioactive material that has fallen out of regulatory control.   

“The new publication is added to a variety of tools offered to countries by the IAEA to help them fulfil their national responsibilities for nuclear security,” said Itimad Soufi, Head of the IAEA’s Nuclear Security of Materials Outside of Regulatory Control Section.  

The comprehensive guidance in the publication will assist countries in planning and implementing appropriate nuclear material detection operations to mitigate the current threats and risks they face within their territory. This includes in-depth information on integrating systems and measures to detect criminal or other unauthorized acts involving nuclear and other radioactive material into existing security measures.  

The publication also outlines operational steps and provides examples for conducting detection operations, both with and without the use of radiation detection equipment. In addition, a template for developing a joint detection operation plan, guidance on how to manage information alerts and details about radiation detection equipment are among the practical tools included in the publication.  

The publication will also serve as a reference manual for frontline organizations and officers to guide human resources development and the selection of detection equipment. This will benefit authorities responsible for managing nuclear security systems within a country, in particular law enforcement agencies, ministries, national security organizations, emergency services, national regulators and medical and health professionals.  

This publication is jointly sponsored by the IAEA together with the European Union Agency for Law Enforcement Cooperation (EUROPOL), the International Criminal Police Organization-INTERPOL (ICPO-INTERPOL), the United Nations Interregional Crime and Justice Research Institute (UNICRI), the United Nations Office of Counter-Terrorism (UNOCT) and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC). 

“The publication offers detailed guidance with a focus on better supporting different roles in nuclear security. It is part of the IAEA’s Nuclear Security Series, which provides international consensus guidance on all aspects of nuclear security to support countries as they work to fulfil their responsibility for nuclear security,” Soufi said.  

The new publication is available free of charge here. Further information on the IAEA’s Nuclear Security Series, including resources in six languages, can be found here.