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68th IAEA General Conference

16 – 20 September 2024, Vienna International Centre, Vienna

20 September 2024

The IAEA's General Conference Comes to a Close

The 68th annual IAEA General Conference is coming to a close, with final discussions around possible resolutions likely to last into the evening.

This year, almost 3000 participants registered for the conference, including 2671 Member State representatives. There was the highest number of representatives from international organizations and non-governmental organizations to date. Delegates from 150 of the 178 IAEA Member States attended.

You can find a comprehensive roundup of the week’s activities in our Week in Review article.

20 September 2024

VIDEO: The Week in a Nutshell

Nearly 3000 participants took part in the IAEA’s 68th General Conference in Vienna this week, with an additional 8700 people joining online. The conference sets the course of the Agency's work for the coming year, as it seeks to use nuclear science and technology to improve lives worldwide. Watch the IAEA’s video news summary of the week.

20 September 2024

Removing Language Barriers – One Million Words Translated!

Could you listen to a delegate talking about nuclear issues in Arabic while relating their words live in Chinese at the same time? The UN’s impressive team of interpreters at the VIC do this for the General Conference and over 700 other meetings each year.

Delegates at the GC can listen to key debates live in the six official UN languages thanks to the skills of the Interpretation Section at the United Nations Office in Vienna. They provide an almost-real time interpretation services in Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian and Spanish, as well as other languages.

In this case, in order to deal with the nuclear-specific terminology at the general conference, the UN interpreters received detailed training from the IAEA’s internal language team in advance.

Together the 75 UN interpreters and 70 IAEA translators, have been providing language services for the GC plenary and other key meetings, 29 in total over 5 days, often back-to-back until midnight.  

In total, the IAEA team alone translated over 1 million words for the General Conference!

This included official documents, news articles, daily summaries and draft resolutions, to ensure that all documents were available in Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian and Spanish.

This dedication from both teams of polyglots allows for real-time communication among delegates and ensures that participants have all the correct information available, irrespective of their native language.

20 September 2024

Senior Safety and Security Regulators Discuss Innovative Technologies

Around 100 participants from 50 countries attended a Senior Safety and Security Regulators’ Meeting to discuss how regulators can enable countries to adopt innovative technologies, while still ensuring the highest levels of safety and security. At the first session delegates discussed how to build and strengthen regulatory safety and security infrastructure in the context of evolving nuclear and radiation technologies. The importance of establishing radiation safety infrastructure within Member States as a prerequisite for participating in the IAEA Rays of Hope: Cancer Care for All initiative was also addressed. During the second session, participants discussed the legal and regulatory challenges for the deployment of floating nuclear power plants and tried to identify a way forward. 

20 September 2024

Energy, Education and Climate Change Priorities for AFRA

AFRA members must work closely with the IAEA to help resolve Africa’s energy needs, to promote new opportunities in nuclear education, to mitigate the effects of climate change and to strengthen radiation protection, representatives at the 35th AFRA meeting heard.   

The African Regional Cooperative Agreement for Research, Development and Training Related to Nuclear Science and Technology (AFRA) plays a key role in promoting the peaceful uses of nuclear science and technology in Africa.

Forty participants joined the meeting held on the margins of the General Conference. An additional 30 attendees joined virtually. AFRA’s membership comprises 37 countries.  Delegates from four donor countries — Brazil, China, Japan and Sweden — as well as a representative of the European Union also participated in the annual meeting to better understand how additional resources might multiply the impact of IAEA activities in the region. 

20 September 2024

Country Frameworks Signed at GC

During the 68th IAEA General Conference, six Country Programme Frameworks were signed with Armenia, Bulgaria, Cuba, Iraq, Oman and Saudi Arabia. A Country Programme Frameworks (CPF) outlines the medium-term plan for technical cooperation between a country and the IAEA, typically for a span covering four to six years. In CPFs, countries identify thematic priority areas for support to help guarantee that technical cooperation projects match up with their national development goals. CPFs strengthen ties between countries and the IAEA and allow countries to take greater ownership of activities, ensuring the relevance of support and sustainability of impact. 

20 September 2024

COP29 - Building Momentum on Nuclear’s Role in Climate Action

The IAEA and Azerbaijan, holder of the COP29 Presidency, have held an event to build on the global nuclear energy momentum established at last year’s climate change conference.

IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi spoke on the global support for nuclear power in mitigating climate change, and the commitment of the IAEA to partner with the Presidency and other stakeholders to maintain momentum on climate action.

Speakers from Azerbaijan including Elchin Allahverdiyev, Senior Negotiator of the COP29 Presidency, discussed the actions are required to fulfil their ambitious COP objectives.

COP28 was held in the UAE, COP29 will be held in Azerbaijan and COP30 is planned for Brazil.

Ricardo Maschietto Ayrosa, Deputy Permanent Representative of Brazil to the IAEA and Hamad Alkaabi, Permanent Representative of the UAE to the IAEA, joined the other speakers in a discussion on the role of the ‘Troika’ in facilitating collaboration among the COP28, COP29 and COP30 Presidencies to promote climate action continuity.    

20 September 2024

Spotted at IAEA GC

20 September 2024

Addressing Challenges in Managing Legacy Radioactive Waste Management

The results of successful IAEA technical cooperation projects to analyze, transfer and store radioactive waste left from historic nuclear activities were shared by representatives of Georgia, the Republic of Moldova and Ukraine at an IAEA General Conference side event.

“Safety and stabilization measures implemented in recent years have provided safe storage of radioactive waste,” said Kseniia Kostiuchenko, Central Enterprise for Radioactive Waste Management of Ukraine. “The IAEA technical cooperation programme plays a vital role in supporting Ukraine’s efforts to manage radioactive waste,” she added.

Managing legacy waste often poses challenges due to the uncertain nature of its characteristics and storage conditions. With IAEA support through the technical cooperation progamme, many countries in Europe and Central Asia have been able to tackle these challenges and make progress in managing their legacy radioactive waste inventories.

The side event also provided a platform for participants to learn effective waste management strategies and consider international collaboration opportunities to address legacy radioactive waste inventories on a global scale.

See an example of earlier IAEA support to monitor radiation at contaminated uranium legacy sites in Central Asia. 

Read the full story.

20 September 2024

Welcome to Day 5

We’re in the home stretch here at the VIC, with most of the 100+ side events already held and deliberations on resolutions entering their last phase. Keep an eye out today for our Week in Review story, a short video summing up the conference, and our selection of all the best photos from the week - all planned for publication later today. In the meantime, you can catch up on the biggest news from yesterday in our Daily Highlight – Day 4 article. Enjoy the last day!

19 September 2024

Day 4 of the IAEA's General Conference Draws to a Close

It’s been another eventful day at the 68th IAEA General Conference, with 11 countries elected to serve on the new 35-member IAEA Board of Governors for the 2024–2025 period. Today delegates visited the IAEA’s Nuclear Security Training and Demonstration Centre. At another event, newcomer nuclear countries had the chance to learn about IAEA support to strengthen their regulatory infrastructure.

Here are the highlights from Day 4

19 September 2024

New Members Elected to IAEA Board of Governors

Eleven countries were newly elected to serve on the 35-member IAEA Board of Governors for the 2024-2025 period. The newly elected Board members are : Argentina, Colombia, Egypt, Italy, Luxembourg, Georgia, Ghana, Morocco, Pakistan, Thailand and the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela. 

Read the full story.

19 September 2024

Visit to the Nuclear Security Training and Demonstration Centre

General conference delegates have just completed a tour of the Nuclear Security Training and Demonstration Centre at the IAEA laboratories in Seibersdorf – getting a close look at how we help countries strengthen their nuclear security regimes.  

Since it opened at the end of last year, the centre has hosted 50 events, with 700 participants and 200 experts, from nearly 100 countries.  

The visit included a tour to the Demonstration Control Centre, which is a simulation of the central alarm station found at nuclear facilities, and the Physical Protection Demonstration Room where hands-on training on the state-of-the-art physical protection technologies is conducted.  

If you missed the tour, then watch this video to learn more about the important work of the centre to combat nuclear terrorism. 

 

19 September 2024

Regulatory Cooperation Forum Plenary Meeting

Support for nuclear regulators in newcomer countries was enhanced yesterday at the IAEA’s Regulatory Cooperation Forum.

A new strategic plan was presented which focuses on enhancing support for regulatory infrastructure development and assistance for embarking countries, including those considering Small Modular Reactors.

“This meeting plays an important role in facilitating the coordination and exchange of information among nuclear safety regulators and in optimizing resources among forum members,” said Anna Bradford, IAEA Director of Nuclear Installation Safety Divisionin her opening remarks.

Learn more about the IAEA’s Regulatory Cooperation Forum.

19 September 2024

Sharing Experience of Communities Hosting Nuclear Facilities

The ‘Sharing Experience of Communities Hosting Nuclear Facilities’ side event featured speakers from governments in Argentina, Canada, Hungary, Japan, and the United States of America sharing valuable perspectives on the role of local communities and how they can cooperate effectively with other stakeholder groups, including those in government and nuclear industry.

Facilitating transparent, direct communication through continuous, open dialogue among stakeholders is essential for the long-term sustainability of nuclear power programmes. Communities hosting nuclear facilities, or who are being considered for a future project, can have a diverse range of concerns and needs that should be understood and addressed in order to foster trust throughout facilities’ life cycles.

19 September 2024

Unlocking African Potential

During a side event experts gathered to explore strategies to enhance postgraduate training in nuclear science and technology at African universities, to produce the next generation of nuclear scientists.

Africa holds vast potential in nuclear science and technology, but unlocking this potential depends on  developing a critical mass of highly skilled young scientists across the continent.

Central to the discussion was the need to empower young scientists by improving academic programmes and fostering regional partnerships. The dialogue underscored the importance of capacity building, increased training opportunities and knowledge exchange as critical elements for Africa’s long-term leadership and sustainability in the nuclear field. Read the full story.

19 September 2024

Signing of Practical Agreements with Three Dosimetry Companies

The IAEA has entered into strategic partnership agreements with three companies in the field of dosimetry and quality assurance as part of efforts to enhance access to radiation medicine for cancer care. Signed under the umbrella of the IAEA’s Rays of Hope initiative, the agreements with IBA Dosimetry, PTW-Freiburg and Standard Imaging will enhance access to calibration and dosimetry services and will strengthen training in quality assurance and dosimetry for low and middle income countries.

Contributions from all three — which include dosimetry and quality assurance tools, alongside substantial support through cost-free or significantly subsidized vendor-agnostic training — will be instrumental in enhancing the training and research capabilities of Rays of Hope Anchor Centres and hospitals around the world. During the signing ceremony, which took place during the IAEA’s 68th General Conference, IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi said: “I'm proud the IAEA is collaborating with IBA Dosimetry, PTW-Freiburg and Standard Imaging to improve access to radiation medicine where it is needed most. Collaboration makes the most of our strengths in our shared effort to support communities in the fight against diseases like cancer."

19 September 2024

UN Security’s Four-Legged Team Keeping Delegates Safe

Meet Nougat, Micki, Creed and Bruce! Key members of the detection team at the United Nations Security and Safety Service.  

Together with their skilled handlers, the dogs perform sweeps at our headquarters in the Vienna International Centre, using their super-powered noses to provide the security team with unmatched precision and skill. They work quietly in the background to keep staff, visitors and #IAEAGC delegates safe.

“If you see us on patrol, don’t hesitate to say hello to our four-legged partners. Your safety, your security, is our priority,”  says the United Nations Security and Safety Service. 🐾

19 September 2024

Welcome to Day 4

Hello again and welcome to Day 4 of the IAEA General Conference. Please see the highlights from yesterday here. Today some delegates are heading out to Seibersdorf for a tour of our incredible labs there, and others are checking out the IAEA archives for a trip down memory lane, or the Incident and Emergency Centre to see how the Agency provides support during a crisis. Meanwhile, important discussions continue in the plenary and the Committee of the Whole, setting the direction for the Agency’s work. 

As usual, we will bring you highlights from the day as they happen. 

18 September 2024

It’s a Wrap for the Third Day of the IAEA’s 68th General Conference

We are now wrapping up Day 3 of the IAEA’s General Conference. The IAEA’s two-day Scientific Forum, on the theme of  Atoms4Food – Better Agriculture for Better Life concluded with discussions on how partnerships can create a more sustainable impact in improving global agrifood systems. A new Anchor Centre officially joined the Rays of Hope: Cancer Care for All initiative and Liberia and South Africa joined multiple multilateral treaties under IAEA auspices. For a look back at today’s events, go to our Day 3 Highlights.

 

18 September 2024

Liberia and South Africa Join Multilateral Treaties Under IAEA Auspices

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 depositing instruments expressing consent 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. 

Read the full story

18 September 2024

Women in Nuclear Exhibition opens

18 September 2024

IAEA Monitoring Lab Tour

IAEA radiation safety experts have once again opened the doors to the Radiation Safety Technical Services Laboratory during the General Conference, showing visitors the equipment and techniques used to protect more than 3000 occupationally-exposed workers per year.  

If you missed the chance to join the tour in person, visit the laboratory on a virtual tour! 

Workers involved in IAEA activities, such as technical cooperation events and peer review missions that involve visits to nuclear power plants, research reactors and other sites that contain nuclear and radioactive material, are sent to the laboratory for internal and external radiation monitoring. This helps to ensure their exposure does not go above safe levels, complying with the recommendations of IAEA General Safety Requirements.  

The visitors to the tour learned about the IAEA’s state-of-the-art technology that can detect, identify and measure radioactive material in and on the human body. This includes the whole-body counter (pictured) — a large and sophisticated steel chamber with high resolution detectors that electronically measure the photon radiation emitted from inside a person.  

They also visited the radiochemistry and in-vitro monitoring laboratories for processing and measuring radionuclides in urine, faeces and saliva, as well as the external dosimetry laboratory, where personal dosimeters are assembled, issued and read. These techniques provide other essential radiation safety services for monitoring internal and external radiation exposure.  

18 September 2024

Sharing Experience of Communities Hosting Nuclear Facilities

18 September 2024

Innovative Technologies for Nuclear Information Management

Today, the IAEA showcased how machine learning and similar technologies can be used to collate millions of nuclear documents. 

There is a vast array of published information on nuclear science and technology topics. Since 1970, the IAEA has played a pivotal role in managing many of these publications through its International Nuclear Information System (INIS). The INIS Repository, supported by literature contributions from Member States and international organizations, contains over four million bibliographic records and provides access to more than two million full text documents. Many Member States also have considerable nuclear information archives, and efficiently organizing all of this material can be a challenge.  

In focus was INIS’s NADIA project, which is used to help categorize and index the INIS Repository’s extensive archives. Other applications of NADIA were also discussed, including for uses outside the IAEA’s portfolio. Advanced techniques such as Retrieval-Augmented Generation and large language models were also examined, with in-depth discussions on these nascent technologies.   

18 September 2024

Safety of Advanced Nuclear Power Plant Designs

The IAEA’s 10-year vision to update safety standards for advanced nuclear power plants was presented today. This vision is underpinned by a recent report on the applicability of safety standards to innovative technologies. The event also showcased ongoing work at the IAEA on both the safety of advanced reactor technologies (including high-temperature gas-cooled reactors, liquid metal-cooled fast reactors, molten salt reactors, floating NPPs, and fusion energy facilities) and the safety considerations for cross-cutting innovations such as passive safety, artificial intelligence, and advanced manufacturing. 

The panel stressed that the Agency’s work on the safety of advanced reactors will require strong support from its Member States to achieve the 10-year vision presented at the event, and that this will be an enabler for the future of nuclear power. 

18 September 2024

New Rays of Hope Anchor Centre Brings Total Number to Ten

18 September 2024

ARCAL Meeting Discusses Flagship Initiatives

More than 65 national representatives from Latin America and the Caribbean joined their IAEA counterparts in an annual meeting that discussed how participation in the IAEA’s flagship initiatives —such as NUTEC Plastics, Rays of Hope, ZODIAC and Atoms4Food—can multiply the impact of the Agency’stargeted support.   

Held on the margins of the General Conference, 

the 25th Meeting of the Regional Cooperation Agreement for the Promotion of Nuclear Science and Technology in Latin America and the Caribbean (ARCAL) provided an opportunity for delegates to present the most noteworthy achievements realized through technical cooperation projects implemented under the agreement.   

Learn more about ARCAL 

 

18 September 2024

Safeguards: State Declarations Portal Demonstrated

Today, delegates were shown a demonstration of how the State Declarations Portal can make their safeguards correspondence simpler to deliver, by providing a direct line of communication with the IAEA. 

The portal eases the submission and receipt of declarations and other reports through a secure, multi-layered channel, ensuring timely and efficient communication, and streamlining exchange between countries and the IAEA Department of Safeguards.

“Currently, 117 state and regional authorities use the State Declarations Portal on a regular basis,” said the IAEA’s Jess Border during the event. “By reducing paper-based processes and enhancing institutional memory, the portal has significantly improved both the efficiency and security of safeguards-related information exchange with the IAEA.”

Find out more about the State Declarations Portal here.

18 September 2024

Energy Modelling to Reach Net Zero

Global experts shared their experience in using energy modelling to drive progress on reaching net zero at a side event today. 

Achieving net zero emissions by 2050 will require significant energy system transformations backed by rigorous planning. Energy modelling studies that consider factors including cost, human resource requirements and numerous country-specific elements are key for countries to determine what their clean energy mix will look like.  

The IAEA’s Atoms4NetZero initiative supports countries in their decision-making process through energy scenario modelling and techno-economic studies that include the full potential of nuclear power in contributing to net zero. 

The event, entitled ‘Powering the Future through Atoms4NetZero’ side event also examined a case study on reaching net zero in Estonia, using the IAEA’s Model for Energy Supply System Alternatives and their General Environmental Impacts (MESSAGE).

18 September 2024

Creating the Future Global Nuclear Workforce

The IAEA has laid out the ways it is helping to build the future nuclear workforce - as the field is expected to need an additional one million people within the next decade. 

To meet these needs and make significant nuclear power expansion feasible, capacity building and human resource development must be central components of long-term energy planning strategies. 

At the ‘Creating the Future Global Nuclear Workforce through Exchange and Practice: Lise Meitner Programme and Beyond’ side event earlier today, IAEA experts provided an overview of support offered by the Agency, including Knowledge Management Assist Visits, the International Nuclear Management Academy initiative and other human resource development activities. The event also highlighted flagship projects including the Lise Meitner Programme, which was 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, as well as the Open-source Nuclear Codes for Reactor Analysis (ONCORE) initiative, a framework for simulation tools which supports research, education and training for the analysis of advanced nuclear power reactors. 

18 September 2024

Safeguards Traineeship and TechTrack

Delegates have been briefed on the successes of the Safeguards Traineeship Programme and the new IAEA TechTrack initiative for young professionals. 

For over 40 years, the Safeguards Traineeship Programme has provided young people with hands-on experience in IAEA safeguards. Since its launch, 185 trainees from 77 countries have participated. In particular, the traineeship targets those from countries with limited nuclear fuel cycles, and that are recipients of IAEA technical assistance.  

Building on this success, the IAEA introduced a new initiative to delegates – Techtrack – offering young professionals from diverse backgrounds the chance to gain practical experience in specific technical areas relevant to nuclear verification.  

 "TechTrack will not only equip young people with vital skills related to safeguards, but also strengthen the IAEA's talent pipeline for recruiting the next generation of the global nuclear workforce," said Anita Nikoleska, Associate Planning and Coordination Officer in the IAEA Department of Safeguards, during the event. 

Learn more about the Safeguards Traineeship Programme

18 September 2024

Arab States in Asia Hold Annual Meeting

From seed banks to nuclear medicine to cultural heritage – delegates from the Arab States in Asia have been discussing the achievements of over 60 IAEA cooperation projects over the last 20 years.

At the annual meeting for the Cooperative Agreement for Arab States in Asia for Research, Development and Training related to Nuclear Science and Technology (ARASIA), participants reviewed the successes since the agreement’s adoption and planned future technical cooperation activities in the region.  IAEA Deputy Director General Hua Liu also launched a new nuclear medicine reference document at the meeting.

18 September 2024

SMR Platform: Developments for Microreactors

The SMR Platform: Advances in Nuclear Technology Developments for Microreactors side event today explored recent advances in microreactor development as well as security aspects and ‘safeguards by design’ approaches. The newly redesigned Advanced Reactor Information System, the IAEA’s database of evolutionary and innovative reactor design descriptions, was also presented. Microreactors, which are generally designed to produce no more than 20 MW(e), could help meet the electricity needs of remote communities and power numerous non-electric applications including desalination and chemical production.

18 September 2024

Welcome to Day 3

Hello and welcome to Day 3 of the IAEA’s General Conference. Today is the second and final day of the Agency’s premier side event – the Scientific Forum, focused on ways nuclear techniques help combat global hunger. You can attend in person or follow on the livestream. The open plenary debate between Member States will carry on continues, as will the closed discussions in the Committee of the Whole.

Our range of exciting side events also continue, from the annual treaty signing event, to discussions on SMRs, a trainee programme for Safeguards, and a presentation of the impact of our flagship cancer initiative Rays of Hope. See here for all today’s side events.

Keep checking this blog throughout the day for updates, photo essays, videos and more.

17 September 2024

It’s a Wrap for the Second Day of the IAEA’s 68th General

We are now wrapping up Day 2 of the IAEA’s General Conference. Today hundreds of people packed out the room for the opening of the IAEA’s two-day Scientific Forum, on the theme of  Atoms4Food – Better Agriculture for Better Life. There was a chance to find out more about safeguards and diversity at today’s side events, as well as learn how artificial intelligence is being used to support the nuclear power industry at the Nuclear Operators’ Forum. For a look back at today’s events, go to our Day 2 Highlights here.

17 September 2024

Scientific Forum Opened to a Packed House

The IAEA Scientific Forum 2024 kicked off today under the theme Atoms4Food: Better Agriculture for a Better Life. Running alongside the IAEA’s 68th General Conference, the Forum opened with a packed house of over 260 participants, including ministers and food experts from around the world. IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi set the tone, highlighting the urgency of the global food crisis and how nuclear technology can offer real solutions. “Countries don’t need more speeches—they need solutions,” he emphasized, pointing to the IAEA’s Atoms4Food initiative, which uses nuclear science to improve agriculture.

From drought-resistant crops to advanced water management, these innovations are designed to boost productivity and sustainability. Key speakers like Abdulhamid Alkhalifa from the OPEC Fund and Musalia Mudavadi, Kenya’s Prime Cabinet Secretary, echoed this sentiment. They stressed the importance of partnerships and innovation, particularly in vulnerable regions like Africa, where food security is a major challenge. As the Forum continues, the conversation will dive deeper into the role of nuclear science in creating a more resilient global food system. Read the full report of the day here. Stayed tuned on Wednesday by following the livesteam!

17 September 2024

Delegates Discuss How COMPASS Strengthens Nuclear Verification

 

At a side event entitled "COMPASS: The Story So Far", participants discussed how the initiative continues to strengthen national authorities responsible for safeguards implementation (SRAs) and state systems of accounting for and control of nuclear material (SSACs). 

Cooperation between States and the IAEA is vital to ensuring nuclear safeguards are implemented effectively and efficiently. In 2020, IAEA Director General, Rafael Mariano Grossi launched the Comprehensive Capacity-Building Initiative for SSACs and SRAs (COMPASS), which provides tailored assistance to help countries meet their nuclear verification obligations. 

Key speakers included Augustin Simo, Director General of Cameroon’s National Radiation Protection Agency, and Nii Kwashie Allotey, Director General of Ghana’s Nuclear Regulatory Authority. Both leaders shared their experiences with COMPASS, highlighting achievements and lessons learned, and demonstrating the initiative’s practical benefits. 

“COMPASS offers us the opportunity to strengthen Ghana’s national safeguards infrastructure”, said Dr. Nii Kwashie Allotey, Director General of the Ghanaian Nuclear Regulatory Authority, during the event. “We are optimistic that COMPASS will fill in the gaps, and allow for more effective and efficient verification of the country’s nuclear safeguards commitments.”

Find more information on COMPASS here.

 

17 September 2024

Building Communities of Practice in Nuclear Security

The IAEA has hosted a panel discussion to showcase how nuclear security networks successfully build capacity and collaboration. 

“While the responsibility for a State’s nuclear security regime rests entirely with that Sstate, the IAEA has a vital role providing an inclusive platform for global cooperation in nuclear security. Establishing networks as communities of practice is part of our efforts to further strengthen international cooperation for nuclear security,” said Lydie Evrard, IAEA Deputy Director General and Head of the Department of Nuclear Safety and Security.

The invited event panelists represented the International Network of Front Line Officers and Organizations for Nuclear Security Detection (FLO Network), the International Nuclear Security Education Network (INSEN), and the International Network for Nuclear Security Training and Support Centres (NSSC Network).

17 September 2024

Technology Exhibition Open

IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi has opened a Secretariat exhibition which showcases how the IAEA is making the most of cutting edge technology to advance the Agency’s mission, enhance operational efficiency and enable meaningful collaboration between Member States.

The Director General was joined by Ambassador Ian Biggs of Australia, who highlighted Australia’s experience as a contributor and user of systems and databases such as MARIS and nuclear data platforms. 

The Leveraging Technology: Digital Platforms for Collaboration and Information Exchange exhibition is located at the ground floor of M Building and is available throughout the week. Visitors can interact with some of the state-of-the art digital platforms developed by the IAEA.

17 September 2024

Managing Spent Research Reactor Fuel

Non-nuclear power countries have been learning how to manage the spent fuel from research reactors, as well as disused sealed radioactive sources, at a General Conference side event. Today’s event provided an overview of the factors that go into deciding on spent fuel and source management options, including the cost, environmental impact and human resource requirements, and demonstrated how IAEA tools can help simplify these decisions.

The IAEA has developed several tools, including Back End Research Reactor Integrated Decision Making Evaluation (BRIDE) and Disused Sources Integrated Decision Evaluation Support Tool (DSIDES), to assist in the process of choosing a path forward.

17 September 2024

Nuclear Operators' Forum Looks at AI

At the 2024 meeting of the Nuclear Operators’ Forum today, international panelists took a look at how artificial intelligence is being used to support the nuclear power industry now and in the future. 

Streamlining nuclear power plant deployments with Artificial intelligence (AI), including by automating certain tasks previously performed by operators, can help maximize nuclear power’s contribution to the clean energy transition.  

The event, held on the sidelines of the General Conference, also celebrated competition winners who developed projects for the IAEA’s International Network on Innovation to Support Operating Nuclear Power Plants.  

Winners included Justin Fernandes from Canada (Robotics & Drones), Jing Li from China (AI), Vivek Agarwal from the United States of America (Advanced Manufacturing) and Harry Strahley and Harry Sim (Other), both from the United States of America. 

17 September 2024

Asian Regional Cooperative Agreement Meeting

 

Before the IAEA General Conference even started this year, 44 national representatives of 21 countries attended the annual meeting of stakeholders to the Asian Regional Cooperative Agreement. They gathered to lay the ground work before the General Conference to consider new challenges facing the region and to prepare for the implementation of the next technical cooperation cycle. 

IAEA Deputy Director General Hua Liu stressed the important of close cooperation between the Technical Cooperation programme and the Reional Cooperative Agreement. “This integration will enhance the effectiveness and reach of our efforts, enabling us to leverage our resources for maximum benefit and sustainability.”

17 September 2024

Read the Latest IAEA Bulletin on Atoms4Food

From new disease-resistant varieties of bananas to birth control for insects, read about how nuclear techniques are helping fight world hunger, in the latest IAEA Bulletin, Atoms4Food: Nourishing the Future

The Bulletin reveals how nuclear science is enhancing food security through the Atoms4Food initiative, launched jointly by the IAEA and United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) last year. The initiative builds on decades of exciting research, already helping farmers grow better, more resilient crops that can withstand harsher conditions caused by climate change.  

17 September 2024

Exploring Data on Nuclear Releases

IAEA General Conference participants have been taking out their mobile devices to explore the IAEA’s database on discharges of radionuclides to the atmosphere and the aquatic environment, at a side event that demonstrated how the recently upgraded tool supports transparency and monitoring of global discharge data.

During the event, attendees checked out data on discharges from nuclear power plants, reprocessing facilities and research reactors. The presentation showcased the accessibility and functionalities of the database, known as DIRATA, such as the data visualization map and the option to download data for further analysis.  Currently, 24 out of 34 nuclear countries voluntarily provide data on more than 500 nuclear installations for DIRATA, contributing to a comprehensive global resource for tracking discharges. The event also informed visitors on the sources of nuclear discharges and the regulations that control them.  

17 September 2024

Tour of the Incident and Emergency Centre Coming up

A tour is about to start to show delegates at the General Conference how the world responds when a nuclear or radiological crisis unfolds.
Delegates and other GC visitors have a unique chance to visit the IAEA’s Incident and Emergency Centre (IEC), which coordinates global responses to nuclear or radiological emergencies. 
Visitors will learn about the Incident and Emergency System - a dedicated team of responders on-call 24/7 to respond to emergencies globally, and all the other systems used to share information and mobilize resources.
Watch this video to learn more about how the IEC responds to emergencies, such as in the case of the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear accident. 

17 September 2024

The IAEA Stands Ready to Support Countries Achieve their Zero Hunger Targets, says DG

17 September 2024

What Role Does Diversity Play in Implementing Nuclear Safeguards?

During a panel discussion, IAEA Safeguards staff shared how their backgrounds and personal experiences support them in fulfilling their role in implementing nuclear safeguards.

Diversity is vital for the Department of Safeguards, which relies on a global workforce with varied experiences and expertise to fulfil its nuclear verification mandate. The side event, ‘Diversity: An Essential Ingredient in Implementing Nuclear Safeguards’, highlighted how diverse perspectives enhance the Department’s effectiveness.

“The IAEA Department of Safeguards shares a commitment to foster a respectful, inclusive, and diverse workplace where all staff feel a sense of belonging,” said Massimo Aparo, IAEA Deputy Director General and Head of the Department of Safeguards, during the event.

The discussion emphasized how diversity nurtures innovation, broadens the talent pool, and brings together the wide range of disciplines needed to carry out safeguards activities.

Diversity is more than just a ‘box to tick’ in the Department of Safeguards and at the IAEA - it’s a critical asset that strengthens the IAEA’s capacity to do its job more effectively.  

17 September 2024

Watch the Scientific Forum Opening Film

The IAEA Scientific Forum on improving agriculture and nourishing the future has just begun, on the sidelines of the General Conference. You can watch the opening film here, to get a taste of the ways nuclear science is helping combat global hunger. 

17 September 2024

The IAEA’s Scientific Forum on Atoms4Food Opens

 

The IAEA’s IAEA Scientific Forum: Atoms4Food – Better Agriculture for Better Life has officially begun. The Forum will explore the latest nuclear innovations in agriculture and food production, straight from an international panel of experts.  

Watch the livestream of the Scientific Forum here and look at the programme here

Learn how different countries promote equitable access to agricultural resources and enhance rural livelihoods using nuclear based solutions.  

The Atoms4Food Scientific Forum opened at the Vienna International Centre in Board Room D, C Building on the 4th Floor at 09:30.  

17 September 2024

Welcome to Day 2

Welcome to Day 2 of the IAEA’s General Conference! The packed schedule continues this morning, with the Agency’s flagship side event – the Scientific Forum starting right now. The topic is Atoms4Food – Better Agriculture for Better Life. The event is taking place today and tomorrow in Board Room D, C building, 4th floor. Come and join us to learn about all the ways nuclear science supports sustainable agriculture. Or watch online if you’re not in the building.

16 September 2024

The First Day of the IAEA’s General Conference Draws to a Close

That’s a wrap on the first day of the 68th IAEA General Conference. It’s been a busy and productive day, from welcoming the IAEA’s newest Member States to learning about all aspects of the IAEA’s work, from tackling climate change, to monitoring plastic pollution, helping farmers grow better crops and widening access to cancer care. Find out more about everything that happened today in our Daily Highlights article.  

16 September 2024

NUTEC Plastics: The Antarctic Mission in Motion

16 September 2024

Learning to Protect Patients: IAEA E-learning Courses

 

The IAEA has received more than 36 000 registrations to e-learning courses on radiation protection in medicine, marking a 13 per cent increase since the beginning of this year alone. This growth, highlighted during the 68th IAEA General Conference side event on learning to protect patients, reflects a growing interest in training on radiation protection and safety in healthcare. 

“The education, training, qualification and competence of health professionals are fundamental to radiation protection and safety in medical uses of ionizing radiation, as outlined in IAEA safety standards,” said Chadia Rizk, IAEA Radiation Protection Specialist and e-learning course developer. “These online courses offer accessible and flexible learning, enabling an unlimited audience to access important radiation protection guidance.”  

Approximately 4.2 billion medical radiological examinations are performed annually worldwide, compared to the global population of 7.3 billion people. This underscores the need for robust safety measures and a strong safety culture in clinics and other healthcare facilities. 

The courses are designed for radiologists, radiation oncologists, medical physicists and technologists, covering topics such as radiation protection in diagnostic radiology, including radiography, computed tomography and dentistry, as well as in interventional radiology and radiotherapy. The courses also aim to empower other stakeholders, such as regulators, by providing them with the knowledge needed to ensure the safety of patients and staff in medical settings where ionizing radiation is used.  

Courses are self-paced, interactive and available in multiple languages, with certificates awarded upon completion. New e-learning courses and their translations are continually being developed. All are available via the Radiation Protection of Patients website. 

16 September 2024

NUTEC Plastics Outlook and Antarctic Mission

 

A NUTEC Plastics event gave conference delegates a chance to see the results from this year's mission to Antarctica, where two IAEA scientists set out to identify the source of microplastics polluting the Antartic and discuss the initiative's future directions. Argentine Foreign Minister Diana Mondino and the IAEA’s Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi opened the event.  Participants were introduced to a new NUTEC Plastics Portal that tracks progress, facilitates consultation and improves coordination and access to periodic progress reports for countries. They also heard unique experiences and insights from different Member States.  

Established in 2020 to fight plastic pollution with nuclear technologies, NUTEC Plastics builds on the IAEA's efforts to tackle plastic pollution with innovative recycling techniques using radiation technology and by marine monitoring using isotopic tracing techniques. Read the full story.

Check out the video on the First IAEA Antarctic Research Mission.

16 September 2024

International Nuclear Safety Advisory Group (INSAG) Meeting

The International Nuclear Safety Advisory Group has just held its annual forum, this time on the topic of shaping a safe and sustainable nuclear future.  

Prior to this general conference, INSAG had formed a task group to assess the challenges and opportunities for the deployment of nuclear technology in the coming decade.  

Members of the task group have now shared their initial ideas on the safety landscape before us. The task group also engaged those attending to share their thinking and ideas on where nuclear energy and technology are headed and the possible implications for nuclear and radiation safety.  

See INSAG’s most recent publication, INSAG-28, Application of the Principle of Defence in Depth in Nuclear Safety to Small Modular Reactors

16 September 2024

Delegates in Numbers

Thousands of delegates are at the Vienna International Centre for the general conference. 

Almost 3,000 participants from 139 countries are registered for the conference so far. Interestingly, this year also has the most ever participants from NGOs, showing how the IAEA has been growing its engagement at all levels of the society.

16 September 2024

Antimicrobial Resistance in Food and Agricultural Systems

Experts in zoonotic diseases came together in Vienna today to discuss the ways the FAO/IAEA Joint Centre is helping to address drug resistance. The side event highlighted success stories in increasing the capacity of countries to address the challenges of Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) using nuclear and related technologies. Antimicrobial Resistance includes resistance to antibiotics, antifungals, antivirals and more. The IAEA helps countries counter potential pandemics through its Zoonotic Disease Integrated Action Initiative, or ZODIAC.

Atteendees learned about the robust research and development efforts and capacity-building initiatives supporting ZODIAC's mission to strengthen global pandemic readiness. 

At the event, five young scientists from different parts of the world presented their results from a competition highlighting innovative solutions to AMR.

16 September 2024

UN Secretary-General’s Remarks to the Conference

The United Nations Secretary-General, António Guterres, called the IAEA’s work “more vital than ever” in his statement to the opening of the General Conference. 

In the statement, delivered by the Director-General of the United Nations Office at Vienna Ghada Fathi Waly, Guterres called on all countries to “support the Agency’s role in ensuring the strictly peaceful use of nuclear energy”. 

The Secretary-General said, “As the war continues to rage in Ukraine, the risk of an accident at a nuclear power plant remains a daily possibility that must be avoided at all costs. The IAEA continues to provide invaluable support to ensure the safety and security of the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant and other nuclear facilities affected by the war”.

Guterres described how the Agency continues to ensure that nuclear energy benefits people around the world, through 1,000 active technical cooperation projects worldwide. Read the full statement here.

16 September 2024

Strengthened Support for the IAEA’s Marie Sklodowska-Curie Fellowship Programme

16 September 2024

General Conference Side Events: IAEA Flagship Initiatives

Alongside all the important national deliberations taking place this week there will be almost 100 side events held by the IAEA, member countries and partners – all showcasing the latest in nuclear science and technology.  

See the full list of side events here and read more here about how the IAEA is highlighting its flagship initiatives —addressing challenges like climate change, food security, energy sustainability, zoonotic diseases and gender parity in the nuclear sector — reviewing progress, building partnerships and outlining the way forward. 

For more information on the IAEA’s other flagship initiatives please see: www.iaea.org/services/key-programmes.  

16 September 2024

IAEA Outlook for Nuclear Power Increases for Fourth Straight Year

Photo: Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power 2024

The IAEA has revised up its annual projections for the expansion of nuclear power for a fourth successive year, the Director General said in his opening statement to the General Conference today. World nuclear capacity is now projected to increase by 2.5 times the current capacity by 2050, in the IAEA’s high case scenario, including a significant contribution from small modular reactors (SMRs). The increased projections published in Energy, Electricity and Nuclear Power Estimates for the Period up to 2050, released today, aligns with the global consensus on the need to accelerate the deployment of nuclear energy. All operating reactors, potential lifetime extensions, possible power uprates, planned shutdowns and expected construction projects in the next few decades were considered in the estimates. The new publication states that achieving the high case scenario for nuclear capacity will depend on enabling factors: national policies, supporting investment, demonstration projects for new reactors, investment in grids, supply chain management, work force development, and regulatory collaboration and global harmonization – particularly for SMRs.

16 September 2024

Read the Director General’s Opening Statement

“Since we last gathered, social, political and ecological challenges across the world have grown no lighter. Through the IAEA’s unique mandate, we have the responsibility of addressing issues that affect all of humanity. Our priorities include reinforcing and preventing the erosion of a non-proliferation regime that has underpinned international peace and security for more than half a century; the ever-more-present existential threat of climate change, and the ongoing injustice of poverty, disease and hunger,” Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi said in his written remarks to the General Conference this morning. Read the full statement here.

16 September 2024

General Debate and Annual Report for 2023

The general debate is about to start in the plenary. Watch it live as high-level speakers from most of the Agency’s 178 Member States deliver their statements. 

Delegates will also consider the Annual Report for 2023. 

 “I am confident that we will look back at 2023 as a milestone in the transition to net zero,” Director General Grossi says in the Annual Report forward.  Read more about the significant activities of the Agency during the past year here.  

16 September 2024

Director General's Opening Statement

16 September 2024

General Conference President Elected

As the 68th IAEA General Conference kicks off this morning, the IAEA Member States have now elected their new president – Ambassador Sang Wook Ham from the Republic of Korea. 

The General Conference elects a President at the beginning of each annual session, following consultations among Member States beforehand. They hold office for the duration of the conference. Read more about Ham’s extensive service with the ROK Ministry of Foreign Affairs here. IAEA General Conference Elects Korean Ambassador as Conference President

16 September 2024

General Conference Opening

Hello and welcome to the IAEA’s first ever General Conference blog!   

The General Conference is the Agency’s most important annual event, where our Member States come together to set the direction for the IAEA’s work for the year. It is running all this week at our Vienna headquarters. 

Stay tuned to see the latest events from the week as they happen, from high level speeches to scientific side events. Read an intro to the week here.   

First up will be the main plenary opening, where the IAEA’s 178 member countries will elect a president to run the General Conference. Then our Director General Grossi will lay out his vision for the year and for the conference, before handing the floor over to the national representatives for their statements.    

You can watch the opening speech here and the ongoing statements here.   

Learn more about the GC and its role as the main decision-making organ for our members: General Conference.

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