68th IAEA General Conference: Day 3 Highlights

Wrapped up #IAEAGC #ScientificForum on food security with a clear message: the world doesn’t need more speeches or policy papers—it needs solutions. #Atoms4Food provides science-based solutions to tackle food security challenges, from boosting crop yields to reducing food waste. pic.twitter.com/OG4C86psGy

— Rafael MarianoGrossi (@rafaelmgrossi) September 18, 2024

The two-day event emphasized the tangible impact and practical approach of the Atoms4Food initiative, which was launched last year by the IAEA and the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization.

You can catch up on the video recording of the Scientific Forum  here, and read the latest  IAEA Bulletin on Atoms4Food to find out more.

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 consenting 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.

A new Anchor Centre at the Faculty of Medicine in Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University, Thailand was formally established at Realizing Hope for All: Rays of Hope Anchor Centres – One Year On event today. It brings the total number of Anchor Centres around the world to ten. Anchor Centres are central to the IAEA Rays of Hope: Cancer Care for All initiative and provide targeted support to neighbouring countries in key areas such as education, training, research, innovation and quality assurance. The event marked one year since the signing of the first five Anchor Centres at last year’s General Conference.

A Creating the Future Global Nuclear Workforce through Exchange and Practice: Lise Meitner Programme and Beyond event highlighted the capacity building support offered by the IAEA, including advisory services and training courses, as well the Lise Meitner Programme, an initiative 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. Also in focus was the Open-source Nuclear Codes for Reactor Analysis (ONCORE) framework for simulation tools which supports research, education and training for the analysis of advanced nuclear power reactors.

A High Level Dialogue: Addressing Human Resource Development Needs in Nuclear Science and Technology side event also took place today, highlighting the importance of enhancing graduate and postgraduate education in African universities.

A Sharing Experience of Communities Hosting Nuclear Facilities event highlighted how transparency and open dialogue with host communities are vital to the long-term sustainability of nuclear power programmes. The event featured speakers from municipal governments in Argentina, Canada, Hungary, Japan, and the United States of America as well as representatives from national ministries in Canada and Japan.

Host communities are a key protagonist in the nuclear story. At #IAEAGC we highlighted their role in energy transitions and the strong support for the facilities they host. We need even broader local backing—the world needs more ‘Yes in my backyard’ for nuclear to thrive! pic.twitter.com/d7jzeCbHMx

— Rafael MarianoGrossi (@rafaelmgrossi) September 18, 2024

The SMR Platform: Advances in Nuclear Technology Developments for Microreactors side event explored recent advances in microreactor development as well as security aspects and ‘safeguards by design’ approaches. The IAEA’s newly redesigned Advanced Reactor Information System was also presented. It provides comprehensive and up-to-date information about advanced nuclear plant designs and concepts.  

Microreactors are generally designed to produce no more than 20 MW(e) and have been proposed as a solution for the electricity needs of remote communities and to power non-electric applications including desalination and chemical production.                                           

The IAEA’s ten-year vision to update safety standards for advanced nuclear power plants (NPPs) was presented at a Safety of Advanced Nuclear Power Plant Designs: Enabling the Future side event. This vision is underpinned by the findings in IAEA Safety Report No. 123, which reviews the applicability of safety standards to non-water-cooled reactors and small modular reactors.

An event on the State Declarations Portal: The Efficient Way to Exchange Information with the IAEA Department of Safguards gave delegates the chance to watch a demonstration of how the State Declarations Portal provides a direct line of communication between States and the IAEA Department of Safeguards.

At an event on Addressing Challenges in Managing Legacy Radioactive Waste representatives of Georgia, the Republic of Moldova and Ukraine shared the results of successful IAEA technical cooperation projects to analyse, transfer and store radioactive waste left from historic nuclear activities.  

The Powering the Future through Atoms4NetZero event illustrated the importance of energy scenario modelling for mapping out long-term energy strategies and how the IAEA’s Atoms4NetZero initiative can help countries reach their net zero targets with nuclear power.

At a Safeguards Traineeship: Forging the Future Safeguards Workforce event, delegates attending were briefed on the successes of the Safeguards Traineeship Programme and learnt about the new IAEA TechTrack initiative for young professionals.

Since 1983, the Safeguards Traineeship Programme has been instrumental in providing young people with hands-on experience in IAEA safeguards. Since its launch, 185 trainees from 77 countries have participated in the programme. In particular, the traineeship targets those from States with limited nuclear fuel cycles, and that are recipients of IAEA technical assistance.

Delegates heard how Canada’s nuclear sector has recently pioneered the use of nuclear power plants for medical isotope production, at the event Canada Fights Cancer: New Frontiers in Isotope Production. This event hosted members of Canada’s isotope and radiopharmaceutical sector in discussions around current and future opportunities for medical isotope and radiopharmaceutical production, utilization and collaborations. It was organized by Canada.

In the Effective Low - Cost Strategies to Mitigate the Loss of Critical Nuclear Knowledge side event, Brazil’s National Nuclear Energy Commission (CNEN) presented Brazil’s knowledge management practices in the nuclear field and related areas and discussed the impacts of the IAEA’s knowledge management events and tools on building this programme.

At The Implementation of Radon Action Plans event, countries discussed how to reduce exposure to radon, a carcinogenic radioactive gas, one of the leading causes of lung cancer according to the World Health Organization. Countries, including Portugal and Ireland, shared their experiences in recent years. The event was organized by Portugal.

At the Pakistan – IAEA: Collaboration of Hope event, visitors heard now Pakistan's Atomic Energy Cancer Hospital (AECH) was designated as an Anchor Centre under the IAEA’s Rays of Hope: Cancer Care for All initiative in September 2023.  The side event highlighted the contributions of AECH in the management of cancer burden in Pakistan and their potential role as an Anchor Centre.

The French New Nuclear Program: Revitalizing Nuclear Ambitions provided an in-depth exploration of France’s new nuclear programme. It includes the construction of six new EPR reactors, with an option for an additional eight units. The event covered progress to date, outlined the key challenges faced, pointed out synergies and lessons learned from past projects and discussed the strategies implemented to ensure successful delivery of the projects.

The Enhancing National Cancer Diagnosis and Treatment Infrastructure in Romania: Tripartite Collaboration with IAEA and the World Bank for Fighting Cancer through Rays of Hope Initiative event was organized by Romania. It presented how comprehensive joint projects carried out by the IAEA in collaboration with its Ministry of Health and the World Bank have focused on improving radiotherapy services in Romania, including training programmes for medical staff.