The 56th annual IAEA General Conference which took place 17-21 September 2012 also served as the venue for a number of events associated with the peaceful applications of nuclear technology in Member States. Over 50 side events covering many areas of the IAEA's activities were held during the week of the Conference. Below is a breakdown of the stories you may have missed:
Nuclear Energy
In the field of nuclear energy, several side events featured the conclusion of important cooperation agreements or practical arrangements between the IAEA and partner organizations.
On 17 September, the IAEA and the National Atomic Energy Commission of Argentina (CNEA) signed Practical Arrangements in Vienna to support education, training and outreach in the nuclear field. More →
On 17 September, the IAEA and the World Association of Nuclear Operators (WANO) signed a new Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to reflect increased cooperation between the two organisations following the Fukushima Daiichi accident of March 2011. More →
On 18 September, the IAEA and the Vietnamese Ministry of Education and Training (MOET) signed an agreement in Vienna to foster cooperation in developing a national infrastructure for higher level nuclear education and training. More →
Also on 18 September, the IAEA and the Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI), USA, signed a Practical Arrangement for Scientific and Technical Cooperation on Nuclear Safety and Nuclear Technologies Applied to the Operation and Decommissioning of Nuclear Power Plants. More →
IAEA Activities in the Field of Nuclear Energy
A side event on Nuclear Energy for Energy Security presented the integrated services of the IAEA Department of Nuclear Energy to Member States which are considering the development of nuclear energy programmes. More →
A second side event featured a panel discussion between experts from the IAEA and selected Member States which focused on ways to break down the barriers that prevent the implementation of decommissioning and remediation programmes worldwide. More →
The General Conference also offered the opportunity for universities and other educational institutes in Member States to share their experiences in international networking, collaboration, integration and outreach. More →
Also at the General Conference, the IAEA hosted the European Master of Science in Nuclear Engineering (EMSNE) 2011 Award Ceremony of the European Nuclear Education Network Association (ENEN) for the first time, honouring 18 laureates. More →
Technical Cooperation
Side events in the field of technical cooperation highlighted the growing number of projects that the IAEA supports through its technical cooperation programme. These projects cover the fields of nuclear safety and security, nuclear energy, and nuclear sciences and applications.
For example, a panel discussion marking the 40th anniversary of the Regional Cooperative Agreement for Research, Development and Training Related to Nuclear Science and Technology for Asia and the Pacific (RCA) was held on 18 September. More →
The Permanent Missions of Sweden and Japan to the IAEA hosted an event on Wednesday, 19 September aimed at raising awareness of a large-scale, regional technical cooperation project that aims to improve water management in the Sahel region. More →
Nuclear Safety and Security
The year 2012 hosted a large number of nuclear safety and security events and activities. The General Conference side events presented the progress made the past year in the field.
On 18 September, the IAEA Nuclear Safety and Security Programme organized a side event to inform Member State representatives about the IAEA's Metal Recycling Code of Conduct which was initiated in 2010. More →
Global experts in nuclear safety met on 17 September, for the annual Forum of the International Safety Group (INSAG) held in the margins of the IAEA General Conference. In INSAG's assessment letter to the IAEA Director General, Chairperson Richard Meserve highlighted the "impressive array of Fukushima-related activities have been launched by regulators and operators around the world, and by other organizations, including the World Association of Nuclear Operators, the Institute for Nuclear Power Operations, and the OECD's Nuclear Energy Agency."
Achievements in nuclear security education and training were the focus of another side event held on 18 September. The event provided latest developments in the fields of nuclear security, education and training, in particular the development of the European Master's Degree in Nuclear Security. More →
On 19 September, the IAEA's International Seismic Safety Centre (ISSC) presented an overview and a live demonstration of the Site and External Events Design (SEED) review service and its focused approach. SEED provides assistance in relation to safety infrastructure and human resource development to both embarking and operating states. More →
Also on 19 September, panelists from the UK, Slovakia, and the IAEA made presentations ahead of the panel discussion addressing the current thinking and applications of the Defence in Depth (DiD) Safety Concept for nuclear power plants. More →
Nuclear Sciences and Applications
In the field of nuclear sciences and applications, a Scientific Forum on Nuclear Techniques for Food and Agriculture, took place from 18-19 September within the fringes of the General Conference. Other side events highlighted the Department's activities in the field of cancer control, human health education and sustainable development.
On 20 September, the IAEA Department of Nuclear Sciences and Applications organized a side event highlighting its mobile learning platform. Entitled Learning on the Go, it featured available mobile e-Learning modules for radiation medicine and nutrition specialists. More →
Also on 20 September, Member States representatives met to discuss the IAEA presence at the United Nations Rio+20 Conference and its role in the post UN Millennium Development Goals agenda. Mr. Casas-Zamora provided an overview of how science, technology and innovation contribute to sustainable development, and the role of nuclear science and applications.
Finally, on the same day, the IAEA's Programme of Action for Cancer Therapy (PACT) convened an event featuring a presentation by PACT staff which highlighted the result of several cancer control projects implemented by Member States. These projects were made possible through resources mobilized by PACT. More →
A list of all General Conference-related stories is available here. Highlights from the 56th IAEA General Confrence itself - including documents and resolutions - are available from the main General Conference page.