Throughout the week, both the IAEA and its Member States will host about 80 side events, some of which will be livestreamed and open to the public. The events will highlight different aspects of the IAEA's work, from ongoing initiatives related to health and nuclear energy to available e-learning resources and the modernization of the Agency’s laboratories at Seibersdorf.
During a side event on Monday, Revealing Secrets Using Nuclear Techniques, experts participating in an ongoing regional project in Europe will demonstrate how they are applying nuclear technology to verify the authenticity and provenance of cultural heritage artefacts, foods and medicines.
Another event will provide the latest status and future direction of the Zoonotic Disease Integrated Action (ZODIAC). The IAEA launched ZODIAC in 2020 to support countries in the early detection, prevention and control of zoonotic diseases. To date, more than 1000 participants from over 95 countries have been trained through ZODIAC’s virtual interregional training courses.
The IAEA presented its Platform on Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) and their Applications at last year’s General Conference. This year, a side event will present the progress and achievements of the Platform after one year, including the recently launched SMR Portal, the IAEA’s strategic objectives in supporting global SMR deployment and an interregional project on SMRs and microreactors.
The IAEA introduced a new generation of seals this year. Seals are one of the tools that IAEA safeguards inspectors use to verify that nuclear material is used only for peaceful purposes. During a side event, the new seal will take the spotlight, and participants will learn how almost 28 000 IAEA seals are applied to nuclear material, facility critical equipment or IAEA safeguards equipment at nuclear facilities around the world.
To mark the success of the Agency’s Programme on Nuclear Security at Major Public Events (MPEs) over the past 18 years, case studies, as well as planned developments in the MPE programme, will be presented during a side event. Countries which received, or will receive, IAEA assistance for the implementation of nuclear security measures in major public events in 2022 will share their experiences.
Other side events include sessions on the COMPASS initiative, External Events Notification System, Spent Fuel and Radioactive Waste Information System (SRIS), recruitment at the IAEA (virtually open to the public), the contribution of the IAEA laboratories in Seibersdorf to science diplomacy, 20th anniversary of the Cooperative Agreement for Arab States in Asia for Research, Development and Training related to Nuclear Science and Technology (ARASIA), Nuclear Technology for Controlling Plastic Pollution (NUTEC Plastics) and more. See the full list of events.
There will also be guided visits for delegates and the media to the IAEA’s Incident and Emergency Centre, Radiation Safety Technical Services Laboratory, Isotope Hydrology Laboratory and the Safeguards Equipment Laboratories. Delegates will have an opportunity to tour the IAEA’s Nuclear Applications Laboratories in Seibersdorf, located 35 km south of Vienna. Advanced registration is required for some tours. See the full list of guided and virtual visits.