Category: News Story

Source: International Atomic Energy Agency – IAEA

The Director General was shown a Linear Accelerator radiotherapy machine that had already treated 50 patients that day, but was out of order regularly due to ongoing maintenance issues. He also saw a brachytherapy machine for providing internal radiotherapy, which is the only one available to treat 60 million people in the area. Nigeria has asked the IAEA to coordinate an imPACT review this year to help improve its cancer control programme.

At the end of his visit, Mr Grossi said: “It is very clear that Nigerians need more access to cancer treatment than is currently available. We need to amplify the support. You can count on us.”

Dr Emmanuella Nwachukwu, Head of the Radiotherapy and Oncology Department, agreed: “We were immensely pleased to receive the Director General and take him on a tour of the facility, showing him how we have put to good use the various benefits we received from the IAEA in the last two decades, while sharing our challenges, as well as our requests that we need to improve radiotherapy services and cancer care at the National Hospital Abuja.”

Source: International Atomic Energy Agency – IAEA

Every element around us has its own chemical identity. This identity is based on its atomic composition, which consists of neutrons, protons, and electrons. Atoms with the same number of protons but different number of neutrons are called isotopes – these can help scientists to determine if a product is genuine.

Stable isotope ratios in food can vary because of different factors, such as: when, where, and under what environmental conditions the food was produced. For example, stable carbon isotope ratios of tomatoes from Northern Europe grown in a winter greenhouse will vary from the carbon isotope ratios of soil grown tomatoes, harvested in summer in South America.

Stable isotopes are measured using specialized equipment, that can detect the very small differences in the ratios of their heavy and light forms. This information can be used to detect the origin of food. Stable isotope ratios are like nature’s ‘fingerprints’ or signatures on food. This hidden evidence can provide information on whether the foods we are buying consist of the authentic ingredients described on the label or have been falsified. By tracing these isotopic fingerprints, scientists can also track the geographical or botanical provenance of food.

Isotopes also allow to detect the adulteration, or complete substitution, of food with cheap ingredients that have identical chemical structures, but different isotopic signatures. For example, synthetic flavors instead of natural; high fructose corn syrup in honey; or orange juice made from concentrate instead of freshly squeezed.

Source: International Atomic Energy Agency – IAEA

Kairat Umarov, First Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan, and Tim Watts, Assistant Minister for Foreign Affairs of Australia, are the Co-Presidents of the International Conference on Nuclear Security: Shaping the Future (ICONS 2024).

The conference has become a key event for the global nuclear security community. It provides a platform for ministers, policymakers, senior officials and nuclear security experts to come together and deliberate on the future of global nuclear security, and facilitates information exchange, the sharing of best practices, and the promotion of international cooperation.

The Co-Presidents share their views about the significance of the conference, the contribution of nuclear security to sustainable development, and how the future will be shaped by emerging technologies such as AI and by emerging risks and threats in nuclear security.

Q: Why do you think participation at ICONS 2024 is important at the ministerial level?

Tim Watts: A strong and sustainable nuclear security system has never been more imperative. In Australia, nuclear science and technology is used in medicine, research and industry. Strong ministerial leadership informed by diverse experiences and perspectives, current approaches, and a greater understanding of technology is required to navigate the challenges and uncertainty that could impact nuclear security.

The conference is a key event for the global nuclear security community. Ministerial involvement is critical to demonstrating our collective commitment to strengthening nuclear security globally. It provides an opportunity for countries to progress aligned commitments and priorities and work closely on their national nuclear security regimes.

The past four years have been a time of momentous change for nuclear security. If there was ever a time for strong ministerial attendance and commitments, that time is now.

Kairat Umarov: ICONS 2024 is a major event for the global nuclear security community and comes at a critical time for international nuclear security. Despite some risks and challenges — from climate change and natural disasters to global pandemics — AI products and advanced computing technologies offer new opportunities to strengthen nuclear security regimes.

Given that the responsibility for nuclear security rests entirely with States, ICONS 2024 provides a unique opportunity to reaffirm, at the ministerial level, States’ commitments to promoting the peaceful use of nuclear energy and fulfilling all of their international obligations in the field of nuclear security.

Q: What changes would you like to see in nuclear security and what is needed to make them happen?

Tim Watts: Nuclear science and technology can make a considerable difference to people’s lives. Their development enables us to address some of the most pressing challenges of our time, including those related to health and wellbeing, and food security.

As a world leading producer of nuclear medicines to diagnose and treat cancer and other diseases, Australia recognizes the important role of nuclear security in facilitating the peaceful uses of nuclear technology. On average, every Australian will need at least two nuclear medicine procedures during their lifetime.

As the world continues to leverage nuclear science and technology, we must ensure that nuclear security standards are upheld to prevent the exploitation of this technology for harmful purposes.

Building resilience in all countries by sharing diverse experiences and knowledge is key. All countries can contribute to creating and maintaining a durable and resilient global nuclear security system.

We welcome the increasing number of training activities offered by the Agency. Fair access to knowledge and resources is a crucial aspect of future planning, fortifying against threats, and seizing opportunities. The underlying principles of fair access are instrumental in Australia’s collaborative efforts with our regional partners on nuclear security.

The theme of ICONS 2024 is “Shaping the Future”. Ensuring that all countries have the capability to future-proof their nuclear security architecture also strengthens a country’s contribution to, and sovereignty in, these global conversations. This progress leads toward collective commitments at the national and international levels to enhance nuclear security standards for the benefit of all.

Kairat Umarov: Kazakhstan has gained unique experience in bringing its largest nuclear weapons testing facility, the former Semipalatinsk test site, into a secure state. Specialists from the National Nuclear Center of the Republic of Kazakhstan (NNC) carried out a wide range of work at this facility to strengthen security measures and install physical barriers to prevent access to test sites, decommissioned wells and tunnels.

Improving nuclear security is a critical task involving multiple stakeholders, including governments, international organizations, the nuclear industry and the public. There are several key elements that should be continuously addressed to ensure robust nuclear security, including personnel development, enhanced regulation and control and the strengthening of international cooperation.

Increased cooperation and information sharing among countries helps to prevent the illicit trafficking of nuclear materials and technologies. International agreements such as the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons, the Convention on the Physical Protection of Nuclear Material and its Amendment, the International Convention for the Suppression of Acts of Nuclear Terrorism, the Code of Conduct on the Safety and Security of Radioactive Sources and relevant United Nations Security Council resolutions play a crucial role in this regard.

Investing in research and development (R&D) for advanced technologies for nuclear security, such as better methods for detecting nuclear materials, improved surveillance systems and robust cybersecurity measures can strengthen the overall security posture. On the other hand, as technology evolves, new threats to nuclear security may emerge, such as cyber-attacks or the use of drones for malicious purposes. Continually monitoring and adapting security measures to address these evolving threats must be a priority for States and must be supported by the international community.

Q: How can countries prepare their nuclear security regimes for emerging technologies such as AI?

Tim Watts: International events like ICONS play a fundamental role in creating an environment for collaboration. They help us to prepare our nuclear security system so as to capitalize on, and minimize the harm of, emerging technologies such as AI. We need to shape AI rules and norms related to the nuclear security architecture to protect it from malicious cyberactivity.

A global effort is required to manage these complex and evolving challenges. The diverse expertise of conference attendees, including policymakers, academics, the private sector and non-governmental organizations, will create an environment in which we can work together on shared challenges and respond collectively.

Getting these fundamentals right in domestic frameworks, policies and initiatives creates a sound platform on which to build international cooperation and resilience.

At ICONS 2024, countries will have the opportunity to share how they are building their capacity to respond to AI opportunities that will be of assistance in getting things done in more efficient, economic, effective and equitable ways. Experts’ best practices will inform Member States’ domestic nuclear security regimes.

Kairat Umarov: As emerging technologies such as AI continue to evolve, countries will need to adapt their nuclear security measures to mitigate potential risks and reap the benefits.

Governments and relevant organizations should conduct comprehensive risk assessments to identify potential vulnerabilities and threats that may arise from the integration of AI into nuclear security systems. Understanding these risks is essential to developing effective mitigation strategies.

It’s important to develop regulatory frameworks and guidelines by updating existing regulations or creating new ones to address the unique challenges posed by AI technologies in the nuclear security domain. By ensuring that robust cybersecurity measures are in place, countries can protect themselves from cyber-threats and cyber-attacks. This includes implementing encryption, access controls, and regular security updates.

Q: What are the major emerging risks and threats in nuclear security around the world?

Tim Watts: The global community is grappling with emerging risks and threats to nuclear security. As they evolve, so must our nuclear security frameworks and responses.

ICONS 2024 will provide an opportunity for countries to share how they are developing their capabilities and technologies to address risks and threats. It will facilitate discussions to shape the Agency’s Nuclear Security Plan for the period 2026–2029 to advance the global nuclear security agenda.

Australia is focused on working closely with its international partners to address supply chain security. Industry is at the forefront of R&D. Ensuring that the principles of nuclear security can be adopted early by industry and government is critical to ensuring nuclear security isn’t compromised.

Australia’s commitment to the Women, Peace and Security agenda is steadfast and enduring. With ten United Nations Security Council resolutions that many countries, including Australia, have tailored to their contexts through national and regional action plans, we know that diversity, equity and inclusion are central to establishing and maintaining peace and security. This applies to nuclear security, in which the full, equal and meaningful participation and leadership of women is an essential element.

Australia is proud to partner with Kazakhstan to host a side event at ICONS 2024, providing practical insights and actionable guidance on gender equality and inclusive leadership as positive drivers of the future of nuclear security.

Kairat Umarov: Indeed, the rapid development of new technologies such as AI, quantum computing and uncrewed systems poses new challenges and vulnerabilities in terms of nuclear security. Malicious actors may target critical infrastructure such as power plants or nuclear research facilities to disrupt operations, steal sensitive information or sabotage systems.

With the ever-increasing spread of disinformation, special attention should be paid to the protection of materials that are not highly radioactive and not suitable for making nuclear weapons, but whose use for malicious purposes could have a negative impact on the public, causing ‘radiophobia’ and undermining confidence in the nuclear industry.

Non-State actors, including terrorist organizations, may seek to acquire nuclear materials or technology to build improvised nuclear devices or radiological dispersal devices, also known as ‘dirty bombs’.

The proliferation of nuclear materials and technologies through illicit trafficking networks remains a concern. Trafficking activities may involve the smuggling of radioactive materials, nuclear weapons components or sensitive nuclear technology across borders, potentially enabling State or non-State actors to acquire nuclear capabilities.

Insider threats, which include unauthorized access by employees or contractors with malicious intent, pose a significant challenge to nuclear security. These threats can include theft, sabotage or damage to nuclear materials, facilities or information.

Q: How can nuclear security support sustainable development initiatives around the world in the coming years?

Tim Watts: Nuclear security underpins and enables sustainable development initiatives. For example, food irradiation enables countries to export food products across borders and enhance food safety by eliminating germs and pests. Additionally, radiation equipment used in cancer treatment is a crucial element of initiatives such as Rays of Hope, aimed at reducing the cancer care gap in low and middle income countries. These peaceful uses of radiation to enhance food security and treat cancer are supported by strong and sustainable nuclear security regimes.

Nuclear security needs to be built into our sustainable development initiatives from the outset, and must not be an afterthought or something that is worked on in isolation outside of our social and economic development programmes.

It is time for nuclear security to advance and become embedded in our programmes.

Kairat Umarov: As the world’s leading exporter of uranium, providing 43% of the global supply, Kazakhstan plays a crucial role in carbon-free power generation on a global scale. The establishment of robust national nuclear security regimes will ensure a guaranteed nuclear energy chain for humanity and promote the implementation of sustainable development initiatives around the world.

Kazakhstan has contributed to the non-proliferation regime and the sustainable development of nuclear energy by hosting the unique IAEA Low Enriched Uranium Bank. In addition, we continue to implement research reactor conversion projects aimed at converting highly enriched uranium fuel to low enriched uranium fuel, thereby helping to reduce the risk of nuclear proliferation. Only last year, we successfully completed the conversion of another research reactor at NNC, which is now fully operating on low enriched fuel.

In this context, strengthening national nuclear security regimes helps to prevent the illicit trafficking of nuclear and radioactive materials, enhances public confidence in the peaceful uses of nuclear and radiation technologies, and promotes sustainable nuclear energy development strategies worldwide.

Source: International Atomic Energy Agency – IAEA

The IAEA profiles employees to provide insight into the variety of career paths that support the Agency’s mission of Atoms for Peace and Development and to inspire and encourage readers, particularly women, to pursue careers in STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) or STEM-adjacent fields. Read more profiles of women at the IAEA.  

Growing up in Montevideo, Uruguay, Inés Sanz Alvarez never thought she would work in a marine science laboratory, much less in Monaco. Originally working in pharmaceutical chemistry, she is now an integral member of a team of scientists studying blue carbon – the carbon captured by the ocean and coastal ecosystems, in a natural system which helps mitigate climate change – at the IAEA Marine Environment Laboratories, the only marine science laboratory in the UN system. The daughter of a lawyer and an administrator, Sanz Alvarez was not exposed to science as a child, but in high school, she began to learn about chemistry and biology. 

“Chemistry was attractive because of the lab. I loved the idea of chemistry experiments, and we got to create cool products, with different colours and smells. I was so curious about that,” she said. “With biology, I remember when I started learning about how the body works, I was fascinated by it. So I wanted to learn as much as I could about both, because they inform each other.” 

When the time came to study at university, she decided to pursue chemistry and biology, graduating from the Universidad de la República in Uruguay with a bachelor’s degree in pharmaceutical chemistry, a science that uses both chemistry and biology to create medicinal drugs and to study how they interact with the human body.  

It was at university that Sanz Alvarez first learned about nuclear science and met the professor who would eventually become her most influential mentor. It was also where she benefitted from the legacy of women trailblazers who demonstrated the possibilities for women in science and, particularly, in radiochemistry. In fact, the department where Sanz Alvarez studied radiochemistry is named after the chemist Estrella Campos, a pioneer in Uruguayan radiochemistry. 

“I knew that women were underrepresented in this field, in nuclear science. In my experience however, I never felt a limitation. My radiochemistry professors were women; my mentors are women,” Sanz Alvarez said. “The professor that truly motivated me when I was at university was Soledad Fernandez, whom I will always remember. She trained me in radiochemistry and showed me how to handle radioactive material in the lab. I learned a lot from her, and she inspired me because she was very young and a very motivated person. She was so passionate about academia and doing research. I was not used to seeing that.” 

Source: International Atomic Energy Agency – IAEA

IAEA efforts to support the career development of women professionals in the nuclear sector has taken another step forward, with experts from the IAEA Lise Meitner Programme visiting the Republic of Korea to advance their skills and knowledge. 

Over a two-week period, 12 participants from 11 countries took part in technical visits and discussions across the country, which currently has 26 operating nuclear power reactors. 

The IAEA Lise Meitner Programme (LMP), named after the Austrian-Swedish physicist, aims to boost women’s career development in the nuclear sector through professional visits hosted by IAEA member countries. This third LMP visit, which focused on nuclear power plant operations, took place from 25 March to 5 April 2024 and was hosted by the Korea Nuclear International Cooperation Foundation (KONICOF).  

”The Lise Meitner Programme provided me with a unique and invaluable opportunity to connect with women nuclear professionals from across the globe. Through engaging in technical workshops, presentations, professional development activities, and facility tours, I was able to build meaningful bonds and exchange knowledge and experiences with fellow professionals in the field,” said Yasemin Balci, a researcher at the Turkish Energy, Nuclear and Mineral Research Agency. “This experience not only enhanced my technical skills and understanding but also fostered a supportive network of colleagues and mentors, creating a lasting impact on my professional development.” 

During the technical portion of the programme, participants had the opportunity to visit nuclear facilities, which included a trip to the Saeul Nuclear Power Plant. Currently, there are two reactors under construction at Saeul, which is owned and operated by the largest electric power company in the Republic of Korea, Korea Hydro and Nuclear Power Co. (KHNP). KHNP hosted a tour of their facilities for LMP participants to learn more about the monitoring system used for the operational status of Korean nuclear power plants. 

“The commitment and diligence of the IAEA Lise Meitner Programme visiting professionals have left a lasting impact on us. We trust that the knowledge and insights gained during the LMP visit in the Republic of Korea will propel their careers forward and contribute to shaping a more sustainable future,” said Jun Ho SHIN, President of KONICOF. 

The Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute (KAERI) also hosted the LMP professionals at a number of centres including the Nuclear Training Center, which provided hands-on exercises with a KAERI pressurized water reactor (PWR) simulator. During the technical tours, the Korea Electric Power Corporation (KEPCO) Nuclear Fuel and KEPCO Engineering and Construction facilities invited the women professionals to take a closer look at the APR-1400 design technology (a pressurized water reactor producing up to 1,400 Megawatts of electricity per unit). 

Source: International Atomic Energy Agency – IAEA

Source: International Atomic Energy Agency – IAEA

Source: International Atomic Energy Agency – IAEA

Vandenhove’s early studies were strongly influenced by her childhood setting, growing up on a farm in Julémont, southern Belgium. This, combined with her natural love for science, her godfather’s experiences in international development projects, and her father’s guidance to “find joy” in her work, led her into agricultural engineering.  

Specifically, Vandenhove focused on soil science and phytotechnics, the use of plant systems to improve the environment. At university in Leuven (KU Leuven) she earned an engineering degree in 1988 and then signed up for her PhD in Agricultural Engineering.  

Her internal drive also resulted in obtaining a Fellowship in Environmental Science and Engineering at the University of British Columbia, after which Vandenhove was back in Belgium, looking for jobs.  She says she created the opportunities that came next by “picking up the phone and asking”.  

One of those calls was to the “brilliant” late Professor Adrien Cremers, whom Vandenhove said was the person who introduced her to the nuclear field. Together, they proposed a research project to the Belgian Nuclear Research Centre (SCK CEN) on soil–plant transfer of radiocaesium, against the background of the 1985 Chornobyl accident. At the same time, Roel Merckx, professor emeritus of soil science at KU Leuven asked Vandenhove to coordinate a project on use of rock phosphate as fertilizer for rice in Sri Lanka — she took on both projects. “A daunting task she was eager to embrace,” Merckx said.  

Reaching Sri Lanka in 1993, Vandenhove was confronted with an unexpected challenge: “I didn’t know anything about rice, I didn’t know anything the science of phosphorous, I didn’t know anything about working in Sri Lanka and on my second day my local counterpart said, ‘I’m leaving’.” Vandenhove found herself leading a team of 20 people on her own, setting up rice cultivation trials with different fertilizer regimes in different regions in Sri Lanka. She describes this period as one of “steady learning” to understand the system in which to execute the project and to design a path forward towards project realization, with a team who “thrived in the process”.  

In 1994, Vandenhove returned to Belgium, to join SCK CEN, where she began the next stage of her career by patenting a new method for the fixation of trace amounts of radiocaesium — a discovery that she says could have been easily missed had she not revisted and thoroughly explored the data. “The backing of the SCK CEN Director General contributed to me fulfilling my potential,” says Vandenhove. 

Over the next 28 years at SCK CEN, Vandenhove helped pave the way for women — as the first woman in higher managerial roles, including as Head of the Biosphere Impact Studies Unit, and then as Deputy Director of the Environment, Health and Safety Institute and then as SCK CEN Institute Director, for an eight year period. She led over 270 staff on projects related to radiation protection, waste and disposal, and decommissioning. Former colleague and SCK CEN Institute Director Frank Hardeman speaks of Vandenhove as a “visionary”. 

Vandenhove echoes the hard work involved as well as a willingness to “evolve as a scientist” in becoming a project coordinator and leader, which has led to some of the experiences she says she values the most: human connection across cultures. 

Source: International Atomic Energy Agency – IAEA

In a session that touched on the need for increased investments and the challenges in financing nuclear newbuild projects, Mr Grossi cited the technology sector as a potential new market for advanced nuclear technologies. According to the International Energy Agency, electricity consumption from data centres, artificial intelligence (AI) and cryptocurrencies account for 2% of global electricity consumption, but may double by 2026.  

“The nuclear industry and the IAEA are taking a prospective look at the future of nuclear energy, for example talking to AI and data centre companies that are considering nuclear as a tailor-made solution for their clean firm electricity supply needs,” Mr Grossi said. “Nuclear fit for purpose, in other words.” 

The IAEA also took an active role in side events at the World Energy Congress. This included a session organized by the Asian Development Bank that examined the role of integrated energy planning and financing approaches for clean energy projects Asia and the Pacific, and an event on advanced reactor developments organized by the China National Nuclear Corporation. 

The IAEA also organized a side event with speakers from the Directorate for Nuclear Energy in the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate Policy of the Netherlands, the Electric Power Research Institute, the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe and the World Nuclear Association. The event focused on the opportunities and challenges that the sector will face in the coming years as the push to reach net zero by mid-century accelerates. 

Amid emerging energy challenges, the Netherlands intends to expand its existing nuclear reactor fleet. “Our commitment to advancing both nuclear and renewable energy highlights our comprehensive approach to achieving environmental sustainability and economic viability,” said Martijn Schut, Director for Nuclear Energy at the Netherlands’ Ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate Policy, at the event. 

Source: International Atomic Energy Agency – IAEA