As part of its work to support Member States in keeping major public events secure from any threats that involve nuclear or other radiological material, the IAEA provided requested assistance to Indonesia ahead of the 2018 Asian Games.
Like other events involving many participants and large audiences, the 18th Asian Games in Jakarta and Palembang, Indonesia, held from 18 August to 2 September 2018, involved several security issues, including those related to nuclear security.
Following a request from Indonesia’s Nuclear Energy Regulatory Agency, Badan Pengawas Tenaga Nuklir (BAPETEN), the IAEA provided training and advice to support the incorporation of nuclear security into the Games’ overall security plan. The IAEA also provided handheld radiation detection equipment.
“The Indonesian Government carefully considered potential threats and made use of the assistance available from the IAEA,” said BAPETEN Chairman Jazi Eko Istiyanto.
In addition, the Indonesian Government used information from the IAEA Incident and Trafficking Database in its preparations for the event. The database provides nuclear security information that can be used to analyse patterns and trends, helping to identify potential security threats and vulnerabilities.
IAEA experts started working with Indonesian officials a year before the Asian Games Opening Ceremony, said Nigel Tottie, IAEA Senior Nuclear Security Officer.
“This enabled us to support the nuclear security planning process and the development of procedures,” he said. “Such preparatory work is key to implementing nuclear security measures once an event is underway, and it contributed to Indonesia’s success in doing so at the Asian Games.”
IAEA Division of Nuclear Security Director Raja Abdul Aziz Raja Adnan noted that the IAEA had extensive experience in aiding Member States, upon request, with nuclear security for major public events.
