The IAEA works with countries to integrate nuclear security measures in the security plans developed for large scale events.
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The IAEA supported Azerbaijan, which hosted COP29 in November 2024, to implement nuclear security measures during the two-week conference. “We stay vigilant so that solutions to existential challenges like climate change can be discussed without fear of attack,” said IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi.
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Azerbaijan is the third country hosting a COP that received support from the IAEA, with similar assistance previously given at COP27 in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt, and COP28 in Dubai, UAE, as part of the IAEA’s <a href="https://www.iaea.org/sites/default/files/23/01/22-02586e_ns_tech_bro_mpe.pdf ">two decade support to countries </a> for nuclear security at major public events.
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(Photo: State Agency for Nuclear and Radiological Activity Regulations of Azerbaijan’s Ministry of Emergency Situations)
This latest cooperation started with a request from the Government of Azerbaijan to the IAEA. The Agency and Azerbaijan’s Ministry of Emergency Situations worked closely to specify the needs and the extent of assistance.
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The agreed assistance programme included: training activities and exchange of information to assist the country in conducting threat assessment (based on information from the IAEA’s Incident and Trafficking Database).
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(Photo: State Agency for Nuclear and Radiological Activity Regulations of Azerbaijan’s Ministry of Emergency Situations)
In October 2024, the IAEA conducted two training workshops in Baku. Over four days, the Agency trained more than 100 first responders and staff from national security enforcement bodies, mainly conducted at Baku Stadium, the venue for the COP29.
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(Photo: State Agency for Nuclear and Radiological Activity Regulations of Azerbaijan’s Ministry of Emergency Situations)
Practical exercises equipped participants with technical know how about radioactive isotopes and radiation sources, helping them to better understand, identify and respond to radiological threats.
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(Photo: State Agency for Nuclear and Radiological Activity Regulations of Azerbaijan’s Ministry of Emergency Situations)
Inside Baku Stadium, which was used as training site for the workshops, participants were given different types of portable equipment to scan the venue for hidden radioactive material.
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(Photo: State Agency for Nuclear and Radiological Activity Regulations of Azerbaijan’s Ministry of Emergency Situations)
The IAEA training included hands-on demonstrations on the use of radiation scanners in backpacks. These body-worn portable instruments are appropriate for the effective radiation scanning of large-scale areas, like stadiums.
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(Photo: B.Kaboro/IAEA)
Under guidance from IAEA experts, staff from law enforcement bodies in Azerbaijan were trained on the specific use of equipment to check visitors entering the premises.
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(Photo: B.Kaboro/IAEA)
Checking vehicles and surrounding areas are also part of the security operations in place before and during major public events.
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(Photo: B.Kaboro/IAEA)
Small yet powerful handheld instruments are used by trained personnel throughout such events to detect radiation and identify the type of radionuclides emitted, as part of the response to a nuclear security event.
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(Photo: State Agency for Nuclear and Radiological Activity Regulations of Azerbaijan’s Ministry of Emergency Situations
Since it began two decades ago in 2004, the IAEA's major public events programme has become a cornerstone of national efforts to secure large gatherings, like COP29, with far-reaching benefits for nuclear security at all levels.
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(Photo: State Agency for Nuclear and Radiological Activity Regulations of Azerbaijan’s Ministry of Emergency Situations
