IAEA Helps Caribbean Countries Bolster Radiation Safety and Nuclear Security

This individualized approach allows for flexibility both at the planning and the implementation phase, with IAEA experts adapting to address national priorities that could evolve along the way. “RIDP has been designed to tackle and fix any shortcomings countries may have identified in their regulatory infrastructure,” said Lydie Evrard, IAEA Deputy Director General and Head of the Department of Nuclear Safety and Security. “This mechanism adopts a flexible and agile open-ended approach.”

Nuclear safety and security go hand in hand as the IAEA works to promote a framework to protect people, society and the environment from the harmful effects of ionizing radiation. In simple terms to distinguish the two, safety is about protecting you from accidental exposure to radiation whereas security is about protecting the radioactive source from being used for malicious intent. “Nuclear safety and security are two sides of the same coin,” Evrard said. “RIDP is tailor-made to address both angles so that they complement each other in an integrated manner.”

For countries starting out, they will receive support in the establishment of a national policy, a national inventory of radiation sources, the development of regulations and guides, supported by related trainings. Assistance to countries which are further ahead in their infrastructure development will focus on the enhancement of these areas and further strengthen their organization. The project also complements on-going work under the IAEA’s Technical Cooperation programme enhancing regulatory infrastructure for radiation safety in the region.

The workshop concluded with a draft workplan that will guide the participant countries in their next steps. RIDP is already underway in other regions – following the Caribbean, the next regional workshop focused on Africa concluded on 22 April. 

The governments of Canada, France, Spain and the United States have provided financial support to the overall project. The RIDP focusing on the Caribbean region is financed by the United States, which delivered its support through the Office of Nonproliferation and Disarmament Fund (ISN/NDF) – U.S. Department of State.