Category: News Story

Source: International Atomic Energy Agency – IAEA

For the first time in over two decades, the United Nations and the IAEA are collaborating on a new collection coming to the stamp counter.

The United Nations Postal Administration will issue a definitive set of Marie Sklodowska-Curie stamps and first-day envelopes adorned with a new IAEA distinctive cachet on 7 November 2023. The collection is to honour the anniversary of her birth and recognize her significant contributions to nuclear science.

Marie Sklodowska-Curie’s legacy maintains a strong connection to the IAEA through her pioneering breakthroughs in radioactive research and the discovery of radium and polonium. Even coining the term ‘radioactivity,’ Sklodowska-Curie fundamentally transformed our understanding of the atomic and subatomic worlds that exist today. Her work as a physicist and chemist extends into practical applications as well, most notably in the fields of radiology and radiation therapy. Because of her pioneering efforts, these medical advancements have saved and greatly improved countless lives.

Sklodowska-Curie set a ground breaking precedent for women during a time when they were heavily marginalized in the scientific community by becoming the first woman ever to win a Nobel Prize and the first individual to claim this prestigious honour twice. To this day, she is also the only person ever to receive two Nobel Prizes in different fields of science, one in physics in 1903 and one in chemistry in 1911.

The special envelope also pays tribute to the Marie Sklodowska-Curie Fellowship Programme (MSCFP), which upholds the IAEA’s commitment to promoting diversity and empowering women in nuclear science by aiming to increase the number of women in the field. The programme is designed to encourage and support women to engage in nuclear research and technology by providing female students with scholarships for master’s programmes and an opportunity to pursue an IAEA-facilitated internship.  

The IAEA also supports young women’s career development in the nuclear sector, via a programme honouring Austrian-Swedish physicist, Lise Meitner, who coincidentally shares the same birthday as Sklodowska-Curie. The two programmes work hand in hand, to attract and retain more women in nuclear. On the occasion of the birthdays of these two great scientists, IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi announced an event commemorating International Women’s Day on 8 March 2024. The event will bring together participants of both programmes in Vienna, to exchange ideas and to strengthen their network and leadership skills, as well as industry and recruitment agencies to explore opportunities to advance their careers.

Marie Sklodowska-Curie is the latest famous historical figure the United Nations Postal Administration has released definitive stamps for. In past years, the administration has issued definitive stamps honouring Kofi Annan, Mahatma Gandhi, Florence Nightingale, Mother Teresa and Wangari Maathai.

The forthcoming release of this philatelic cover is by the renowned Norwegian designer and stamp engraver, Martin Mörck, who is tasked with the intricate work of engraving the stamps to be released.

Sklodowska-Curie remains a symbol of relentless dedication to the pursuit of knowledge and as a trailblazer for women in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). This unique collection serves as a tribute to one of history’s most influential scientists.

This limited collection can be found on unstamps.org, as well as in the IAEA souvenir shop and the UNPA stamp counter at checkpoint 1, in the Vienna International Center on its release date.

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.

“I left the Royal Marsden Hospital in London with a suitcase full of scientific papers, because there were no laptops back then, and I wanted to bring all that knowledge with me.”

Jenia Vassileva speaks with passion when remembering her 1998 IAEA research fellowship in diagnostic radiology — a turning point in her 30-year career. Vassileva’s passion for medical physics remained undiminished in her role at the IAEA, working as a radiation protection specialist in the Radiation Protection of Patients Unit of the Department of Nuclear Safety and Security.

Growing up, Vassileva showed a marked tendency towards mathematics and physics from an early age. Her talents prompted her to study to become a nuclear engineer, an in-demand profession in 1970s Bulgaria, as the country was initiating its nuclear power programme. She pursued her studies at the Moscow Power Engineering Institute in the former Soviet Union.

On return to Bulgaria, she was working as an assistant professor in nuclear physics when she was given what she describes as a “life changing” opportunity to establish Bulgaria’s first academic programme in medical physics at Shumen University. With her knowledge of nuclear physics as a basis, Vassileva quickly gained expertise in medical physics under the mentorship of leading clinical medical physicists who shaped her passion in this specialized field. She also took courses offered at the faculty, carried out independent study and received international training.

“I did not even know that the profession of medical physicist existed. When I entered the field, it became my life,” she said.

Another career highlight was being selected for a three-month IAEA fellowship with the Diagnostic Physics Group at the Royal Marsden Hospital in London, where she developed a deeper knowledge in patient dosimetry and quality assurance in diagnostic radiology.

Vassileva likes to describe her professional life as a series of small steps and urges younger generations to stay resilient in the face of setbacks. “It is common to want to grow and develop our career fast, but often, life does not go that way,” she said. “We may feel discouraged when we do not see improvement, but we need to be grateful for the small steps and look forward with optimism towards realistic goals.”

“Nothing happens quickly,” Vassileva emphasized, pointing out that she received her PhD in Bulgaria in 2002 at a more advanced age than her peers. Her doctorate was based on her research in medical physics for diagnostic radiology and was the first on this subject in Bulgaria.

When Bulgaria started negotiations to join the European Union (EU), the country began harmonizing national legislation to EU conditions and directives. As a result, in 2003, Vassileva was invited by the director of the National Centre of Radiobiology and Radiation Protection (NCRRP) in the capital Sofia to establish a laboratory there dealing with radiation protection related to medical exposure.

As head of this new NCRRP department, Vassileva found herself at the helm of a laboratory that was driving all developments and the implementation of EU standards in patient dosimetry and quality assurance in Bulgaria, attracting top-tier international experts and technical support through EU special assistance programmes. The department also became a counterpart to the IAEA’s technical cooperation (TC) programme.

Source: International Atomic Energy Agency – IAEA

Mr Grossi’s visit to Slovakia included a trip to the country’s Mochovce NPP, with the Minister of Economy, Denisa Sakova, and the Director General of Slovenske Elektrarne,  which operates the NPP, Branislav Strycek. Also in attendance was the  chairperson of Nuclear Regulatory Authority of Slovakia, Marta Ziakova, reflecting Slovakia’s commitment to maintaining and strengthening its regulatory framework for nuclear and radiation safety.     

Source: International Atomic Energy Agency – IAEA

Over 600 policy makers, regulators, owners and operators of nuclear and radiation facilities, as well as representatives from non-governmental organizations and academic institutions are participating in discussions at the International Conference on the Safety of Radioactive Waste Management, Decommissioning, Environmental Protection and Remediation: Ensuring Safety and Enabling Sustainability.  

The weeklong conference that opens today will cover various thematic topics — on the management of radioactive waste, environmental protection, decommissioning of facilities using radioactive materials, and remediation of contaminated areas — and draw attention to the relationship between safety and sustainability.

“There are many opportunities for nuclear science and technology to contribute to sustainable development if we get it right – in particular, if it is safe throughout its lifecycle,” said Lydie Evrard, IAEA Deputy Director General and Head of the Department of Nuclear Safety and Security in her opening remarks, noting that “it is important to generate awareness on this relationship between safety and sustainability. Relevant interested parties: regulators, operators, governments, play a vital role as do the public who ultimately play an essential role in the acceptance and development of safe and sustainable solutions for the uses of nuclear technologies and applications.”

Through its mandate to accelerate and enlarge the contribution of atomic energy to peace, health and prosperity, the IAEA actively supports countries in their efforts to reach United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The use of nuclear science and technology contributes directly to nine of the 17 SDGs, in areas including energy, human health, food production, water management and environmental protection. The safe management of radioactive waste, environmental releases, decommissioning, and remediation is key to ensuring that the use of nuclear science and technologies is itself sustainable.

The interconnection between safety and sustainability is a systemic and dynamic one as they both influence each other. Enabling the sustainable use of nuclear applications requires optimization of the related protection and safety parameters and at the same time, the optimisation of protection and safety is anchored in the three pillars of sustainability.

At the conference, participants will also learn about one of the ways in which the IAEA supports its Member States to strengthen the sustainable uses of nuclear applications through nuclear safety— which is through the peer reviews and advisory services it offers. One such service is the Integrated Review Service for Radioactive Waste and Spent Fuel Management, Decommissioning and Remediation (ARTEMIS) that offers independent expert opinion and advice based on the IAEA safety standards, technical guidance and international good practices.

Another important area that will be discussed at the conference is the IAEA safety standards that serve as a global reference for protecting human health and the environment. These safety standards highlight that the societal, economic and environmental aspects should also be taken into account and be integrated with safety aspects in a holistic way in the decision-making processes for sustainable development.

“Whichever way you look at it, safety – safety throughout the lifetime of nuclear science and technology – is intrinsically integrated with sustainable development,” said Evrard adding that “the safety standards also reflect this influence of sustainability on safety.” 

The IAEA conference is being held in cooperation with the European Commission (EC), European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP), OECD Nuclear Energy Agency (NEA) and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).

“It is timely to consider carefully the implications of Agenda 2030 and the Sustainable Development Goals for the international framework for safety,” said Carl-Magnus Larsson, the Conference Chair.  “By learning from decommissioning, waste management, remediation, and environmental protection, we may position ourselves better in carrying out future activities in a way that is safe and sustainable,” he added.

Source: International Atomic Energy Agency – IAEA

The importance of lifesaving medical imaging as part of widening global access to cancer care, was highlighted at a Women in Nuclear IAEA event at the Agency’s Vienna headquarters last week.   

IAEA Director General, Rafael Mariano Grossi, the Minister for Public Health for Uruguay, Karina Rando, and United States Ambassador to the Vienna Office of the United Nations and to the International Atomic Energy Agency, Laura Holgate, were among international and IAEA experts highlighting the importance of nuclear technologies as one of the most powerful tools in the fight against cancer. 

Highlighting how the IAEA flagship initiative Rays of Hope is helping close the gap in cancer care access in low- and middle-income countries, Mr Grossi said the IAEA was making an “intense effort” to expand access to medical imaging across the world.   

“It is not acceptable, morally or ethically or in any other way, that cancers that here in Vienna are perfectly curable are a death sentence in so many countries all around the world.” 

 Uruguay’s Minister of Public Health Karina Rando spoke of Uruguay’s legacy in the field of cancer care, highlighting Raul Leborgne, a Uruguayan radiographer who invented the first mammography device in the 1950s.  

“Uruguay has consistently shown dedication to addressing women’s health issues,” she said.  
“There are ongoing national programmes and initiatives that focus on diseases like breast and cervical cancer, emphasizing early detection, awareness and treatment.” 

In Uruguay, every year, 2000 women are diagnosed with breast cancer and 700 die due to the disease. In terms of cervical cancer, annually there are 300 new diagnoses, and 130 deaths. More than half of the people diagnosed with cervical cancer are younger than 50 years old.  

US Ambassador Laura Holgate, who serves as the Permanent Representative of the United States to the IAEA, said the Rays of Hope initiative was a prime example of the benefits of expanding access of peaceful nuclear technologies around the world. 

“Cancer currently accounts for one in every six deaths worldwide,” she said. “According to estimates from the International Agency for Research on Cancer, the number of global cancer cases is expected to grow significantly in the next two decades, increasing the burden on countries with limited or no access to such care. Unfortunately, the heaviest burden will fall on low and middle-income countries, where over 70 per cent of cancer deaths are expected to occur, yet these areas receive only five per cent of global spending in this area.  

“Every single cancer patient deserves access to lifesaving treatments.”  

The importance of building capacity in terms of a skilled workforce to meet the increasing demand for nuclear technologies was also discussed, with emphasis placed on the importance of greater inclusivity and diversity.  

May Abdel-Wahab, Director of the Division of Human Health at the IAEA, said delivering better access to cancer care remained a challenge: “We cannot forget that equipment alone will not usher in an era of equity for all. Urgently increasing the number of well-trained professionals globally will be key for success and sustainability.”

The importance of promoting greater gender parity in nuclear professions and in medicine and research was also stressed by many participants at the event, to address gender bias in medical treatment which could otherwise have a negative impact on health outcomes for women. 

“The current workforce, even in high income countries, exhibits gender imbalance,” said Abdel-Wahab.

The IAEA has a number of initiatives promoting greater gender equality in the nuclear field, including its flagship Marie Skłodowska-Curie Fellowship Programme, which provides female students with scholarships for Master’s programmes and an opportunity to pursue an internship facilitated by the IAEA. 

The event was held by the IAEA’s Women in Nuclear network, an organization committed to the advancement of qualified women in the nuclear and radiation professions. 

Source: International Atomic Energy Agency – IAEA

Engaging local stakeholders through transparent and open dialogue is pivotal for the success of nuclear projects. Engagement requires time, trust-building and adaptability as expectations evolve. In many places, communities that initially expressed scepticism or opposition have become advocates because of this engagement and better understanding of what it means to host a nuclear facility.

“The nuclear industry in Canada provides tens of thousands of high paying jobs, provides medical isotopes around the globe and, for Ontario, generates a significant amount of reliable, affordable, low carbon electricity,” said Adrian Foster, Mayor of Clarington in Canada. “As a host community, we enable all of these benefits, and we take pride in that.”

The IAEA recently hosted a meeting in Vienna that brought together leaders of nuclear facility host communities, representatives of facility operators, safety authorities and government officials from some 50 countries to share experiences in fostering positive relationships with local stakeholders. A group of host community representatives also met with IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi, who recognized the need for open engagement with stakeholders if low carbon nuclear energy is to achieve its potential in the clean energy transition.

Nuclear energy stands on a robust technical and safety foundation, but misconceptions and concerns persist, particularly about nuclear waste. The IAEA supports countries in their efforts to engage stakeholders in activities that span the nuclear fuel cycle, from uranium mining to nuclear power plant construction and decommissioning, up to waste management, through publications, conferences, expert missions and technical meetings as well as the Safety Standards.

Mayor Rebecca Casper of Idaho Falls in the United States of America, home to the Idaho National Laboratory, highlighted how an initially fraught public dialogue has positively evolved over time.

“A dialogue that was formed through distrust and even some anger has transformed into one that is now based on collaboration over improving future outcomes,” Caspar said. “The form of engagement also has changed from press releases and ad-hoc public meetings to a schedule of regular, face-to-face meetings and forums. I believe regular interaction facilitates ongoing attention and understanding as problems emerge or plans change.”

Countries initiating nuclear power programmes also contributed to the discussion, including Lilian Matu of the Kenya Nuclear Power and Energy Agency. “In Kenya, the local communities have different languages, cultures and norms that lead to communication barriers,” Matu said. “Hence, it is important to undertake a contextual analysis of the community before any engagement and understand their languages, interests, beliefs and perceptions.”

Participants also noted the important distinctions between hosting research reactors and nuclear power reactors or radioactive waste facilities, as each of them has different purposes, opportunities and risks. Casper compared discussions about waste storage versus new technologies and their potential economic and environmental benefits. “It can be much easier to create a public dialogue that is based on future opportunity than one based on measured risk,” she said.

Fabian Sjoberg is Mayor of Östhammar, which hosts both nuclear power reactors and the future spent fuel repository in Sweden. “Östhammar is in favour of hosting nuclear facilities because we are, and have always been, an industrial municipality. For most people, the nuclear industry in our municipality is like any other industry,” Sjoberg said.

However, establishing a nuclear facility such as geological repository for spent fuel takes time, and it is something final that will stay in the community forever, bringing additional challenges for local engagement and outreach.

“Some may say that the progress is slow, but if so, it is because the nuclear community, engineers and scientists, are taking every precaution to do this right,” said Olena Mykolaichuk, Head of the IAEA’s Division of Nuclear Fuel Cycle and Waste Technology. “The perception may be that nothing happens because we don’t know what to do, but the truth is different: it happens slowly because we do know what we are doing.”

National support is crucial for host communities, and formal associations can facilitate this, promoting knowledge exchange and cooperation among host communities. Associations, such as the Canadian Association of Nuclear Host Communities and the US Energy Communities Alliance, provide valuable insights, connections to national leaders, and avenues for positive changes in laws and regulations, according to participants.

Sjoberg, who also serves as Vice Chair of the Group of European Municipalities with Nuclear Facilities in Europe, emphasized the importance of municipalities conducting their own studies and research. “Doing this in a way that strengthens the process requires external funding for the municipality,” he said. “But without the support and engagement from the local government and listening to its citizens, it’s impossible to have a successful process, and the time will instead be spent handling upset communities.”

The October meeting was the latest effort by the IAEA to support national initiatives to strengthen stakeholder engagement and outreach related to nuclear power programmes. Last April, the Agency hosted a first-of-a-kind workshop on reimagining nuclear energy. It brought together more than 60 participants from 32 countries including from academia, government and industry to explore creative and innovative ways to engage stakeholders on nuclear energy, which provides a quarter of all low carbon electricity.

“Meetings like this provide a platform for sharing experiences and discussing challenges in different countries but also for constructive thought evaluation on what is working, what is not and how best to improve,” Matu said.

Source: International Atomic Energy Agency – IAEA

Source: International Atomic Energy Agency – IAEA

Innovative plant breeding programmes using safe and proven nuclear techniques are vital for enhancing food security and sustainable agriculture.  

For nearly 60 years, the Joint FAO/IAEA Centre of Nuclear Techniques in Food and Agriculture and its Plant Breeding and Genetics Laboratory in Seibersdorf, Austria, have been using gamma rays and X-rays to irradiate seeds and plant tissues to speed up the natural evolution process of gene mutation in plants. This technique generates genetic diversity for breeding new and improved crop varieties. Radiation-induced mutation produces millions of variants. There is no residual radiation left in a plant afterward. Breeders then screen for the desired traits and crossbreed. 

To promote research and development on mutation breeding in West and sub-Saharan Africa, the IAEA has designated the Biotechnology and Nuclear Agriculture Research Institute (BNARI) of the Ghana Atomic Energy Commission as an IAEA Collaborating Centre in plant breeding and associated technologies for food and nutrition security for a period of four years. A signing and plaque award ceremony took place on 29 September at the IAEA headquarters in Vienna, Austria, in the margins of the 67th annual General Conference.  

“Mutation breeding is an important tool to help us meet the challenge of feeding our planet,” said Najat Mokhtar, IAEA Deputy Director General and Head of the Department of Nuclear Sciences and Applications. “It enables us to develop food crops with increased yields, better nutritional quality and greater resilience to the impacts of climate change. By working together more closely with BNARI, we can share expertise and develop capacities for using this safe and highly effective technique across a wider region.”  

BNARI is Africa’s first IAEA Collaborating Centre in the field of plant breeding and genetics, and one of only six worldwide. Due to its geographical location and expertise using radiation-induced mutation, BNARI is well placed to strengthen West African capacities in plant breeding and genetics. 

“We are resolutely committed to leveraging this partnership to advocate for the widespread adoption of mutation breeding and associated technologies to fortify food and nutrition security throughout Africa,” said Michael Osae, Director of BNARI. 

Source: International Atomic Energy Agency – IAEA