Category: Nuclear Security

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Source: International Atomic Energy Agency –

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Food security and food safety in the context of climate change

Climate change is expected to increase the presence of mycotoxins, particularly aflatoxins, and heavy metals in food, which could have catastrophic consequences for food safety and public health in countries already facing food insecurity.

As global food systems become more complex and climate risks increase, countries will need more such portable, accessible, and scalable tools, especially in regions where conventional laboratory testing is not feasible.

Along the line Joint FAO/IAEA Centre for Nuclear Techniques in Food and Agriculture The IAEA conducts research and development to develop technologies based on nuclear and related techniques to identify food-related threats to food security, trade and public health.

To help countries respond to food safety emergencies, the initiative Atoms4food and, in collaboration with the FAO, the IAEA is developing cost-effective and portable instruments that enable rapid testing of large numbers of samples, including in the field.

Food safety experts in Seibersdorf are working to develop this technology to cover more categories of contaminants in other foods, taking into account the needs of Member States. Furthermore, the LBKP has adapted the same sensor system to detect fumonisins (harmful mycotoxins linked to cancer and birth defects) in corn and corn-based products, as well as toxic metals such as lead in fruit juices. This flexibility makes this method instrumental in improving food safety.

According to Vlahou, “The IAEA develops comprehensive and robust tools to assist food safety stakeholders in countries around the world in maintaining the necessary levels of safety and hygiene to prevent foodborne diseases.”

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The 69th session of the IAEA's annual General Conference is drawing to a close, and final discussions on possible resolutions are likely to continue until late in the evening.

The resolutions and decisions adopted at the conference will guide the IAEA's activities in the coming year. They will be published. Here as they appear.

This year, over 3,000 participants registered for the conference, including 2,755 representatives from 153 of the 180 IAEA Member States. Among the registered senior officials were 57 ministers and 37 deputy ministers. In addition, 348 representatives of international and non-governmental organizations participated in the conference. The number of NGO participants more than doubled from 2021, reflecting the IAEA's growing engagement with developments around the world.

In hisintroductory remarks At the opening of the General Conference on Monday, IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi outlined the measures the Agency is taking within its unique mandate in the current circumstances, which he described as “extremely challenging times.”

“[The IAEA’s mandate] covers everything from reducing the risk of nuclear proliferation – and ultimately the risk of nuclear war – to using advances in nuclear science and technology to feed families, power cities, and treat children with cancer,” he stressed.

General Conference And Board of Governors are the two policy-making organs of the IAEA. The Council reviews the financial statements, program, and budget of the IAEA and makes recommendations thereon to the General Conference.

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The final stage of the Scientific Forum was a discussion on the importance of partnership mechanisms and mobilizing financial capital to ensure the sustainability of water resources. "Scientific methods alone are not enough; resources and partnerships are needed to ensure the application of nuclear technologies where they are most needed," said Director-General Grossi.

The importance of taking such steps was also emphasized by Najat Mokhtar, Deputy Director-General and Head of the Department of Nuclear Sciences and Applications. She called for the use of new technologies to address existing gaps. "Let's not waste time," she urged, "but work together to leverage scientific advances for more effective water resource management."

Sustainable water resource management is impossible without a strong scientific foundation and stable political support, according to Tatiana Molchan, Executive Secretary of the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe. She believes that the key to addressing the challenges arising in the context of the water-food-energy chain may lie in a combination of mechanisms updated in 2016. Water Conventions with IAEA technical tools.

In his speech, Winston Yu, World Bank Water Program Manager, noted that annual water investment by governments, international organizations, civil society, and the private sector worldwide reaches $165 billion, but trillions more are needed. He agreed with Maria Jimena Durán of the Development Bank for Latin America and the Caribbean and Lina Escobar-Rangel of the Inter-American Bank: meeting the enormous financial needs for water requires engaging the private sector. Currently, the private sector accounts for only two percent of total water financing.

Mr. Yu mentioned Niger's agreement with the IAEA as a good example of how multilateral development banks are combining the efforts of financial and political circles with the expertise of the IAEA to help countries manage water resources more effectively. "The IAEA has tremendous potential to collaborate with all development banks to achieve synergies between technology and financing," he said.

Water financing will be a central theme of the 2026 UN Water Conference. According to Mohamed CBC Diatta, the Senegalese Sherpa, participants will "discuss the potential of science, multilateralism, cooperation, and innovation" and build links across sectors to preserve this most valuable shared resource. Nuclear science can play a crucial role in fostering such links, and the IAEA will continue to work with countries to strengthen their capacity to use relevant tools to address critical challenges in this area.

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Today, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) opened its new Visitor Center, located in its laboratory complex in Seibersdorf, Austria. This first-of-its-kind facility offers visitors the opportunity to learn about the Agency's mission and how nuclear science and technology help solve global challenges.

At a ceremony held today in the presence of IAEA Member State ambassadors and representatives of the Austrian scientific community, IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi and the Austrian Ambassador to the United Nations in Vienna, Gabriela Zellner, officially opened the centre.

"This center brings to life the Agency's mission of 'Atoms for Peace and Development,'" Director General Grossi emphasized. "This new milestone for the IAEA underscores how nuclear technology contributes to advances in energy, medicine, food security, and industry, as well as the Agency's role in reducing the risk of nuclear proliferation."

Located less than an hour from Vienna, the IAEA Visitor Centre provides an immersive experience by introducing the Agency's scientific and technical mandate and exploring the applications of nuclear energy in health, food and agriculture, water, ocean protection, cultural heritage, energy, and industry.

The center features 33 interactive exhibits with physical and digital displays highlighting the groundbreaking scientific work being conducted at the IAEA laboratories in Seibersdorf, Vienna, and Monaco. First established in 1962 in Seibersdorf, just five years after the IAEA's founding, the IAEA research laboratories are unique in the United Nations system and include five joint laboratories that support the work of the FAO-IAEA Joint Centre. They serve as hubs for applied research and development, technical and analytical services, capacity building, and the development of innovative nuclear technologies.

"This new, state-of-the-art visitor center will bring the IAEA's work to life," Ambassador Zellner emphasized during the opening ceremony today. "It showcases how nuclear science helps address global challenges—from health to food and agriculture to ocean and water protection. It also reflects the IAEA's commitment to sharing knowledge and engaging with the public on the peaceful uses of nuclear science. Austria is proud to host the IAEA and its laboratories."

Touring the centre for the first time, the Director General described the visit as a dynamic and accessible introduction to the IAEA's mission for a wide range of visitors, from researchers and scientists to schoolchildren and students with a keen interest in science and global cooperation.

“Today is not just a grand opening of a facility; it is the beginning of a new chapter in scientific education and outreach,” added Director General Grossi.

The center was funded by the United States, and during today's opening ceremony, Director General Grossi emphasized that it is a testament to international partnership and cooperation. Counselor of the US Permanent Mission Lucy Chang and Lower Austrian State Assembly Member Marlene Zeidler-Beck also spoke at the opening. More information, including registration, can be found on the website. IAEA Visitor Center.

Group tours are available not only at the center itself. Depending on availability, groups can also visit laboratories dedicated to plant breeding, food safety, pest control, dosimetry, safeguards, nuclear safety, and much more.

"Whether you're a student, a scientist, a journalist, or anyone interested in engaging with the IAEA, I invite you to explore and be inspired by the transformative power of science. We showcase how, thanks to the Agency's global influence, nuclear innovation improves the lives of people on every continent."

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Starts work today IAEA Scientific Forum on the Theme "Atoms for Water"Ahead of the event, the IAEA presents an interview with Ms. Retno Marsudi, the UN Secretary-General's Special Envoy for Water.

The United Nations Secretary-General’s Special Envoy for Water, Retno Marsudi, shares her views on what needs to be done to ensure sustainable access to water for all in the future. An advocate for water-related challenges around the world, she supports efforts to mobilize action and funds, and to enhance international cooperation to advance the global water agenda. She served as Foreign Minister of Indonesia from 2014 to 2024.

What does water mean to you personally?

Water has always been a deeply personal matter for me.

As a woman, I understand that water-related issues particularly affect women and girls. In many parts of the world, water scarcity and limited access to safe water places an unequal burden on them, forcing them to travel long distances to fetch water for their families.

But women are also leaders of change. I believe – and the evidence consistently shows – that women’s leadership on water issues leads to more sustainable and equitable outcomes, not only in water but in all other development sectors.

I also believe that the responsibility for water management goes beyond global commitments or institutional mandates. It affects our very existence, our dignity, and the lives of future generations. Talking about water is not just talking about infrastructure or systems, it is about survival. It is about protecting the foundations of life and livelihoods.

That is why the responsibility to deliver on global water commitments is so important. This is not just a matter of politics. It is about improving lives – everywhere, for everyone, especially for those who are most often left behind.

What do you see as the key priorities for ensuring the sustainability of water resources on our planet?

Water is essential for life, and today our world’s water systems are under unprecedented pressure. An estimated 2.4 billion people live in countries experiencing water shortages. In 2022, at least 1.7 billion people worldwide relied on contaminated drinking water sources.

Climate change and extreme weather events are making matters worse, with 2024 set to be the warmest year on record. Urgent and multifaceted action is needed, including stepping up research, building capacity, empowering women and youth to drive innovation, and more.

At the heart of all these efforts lies one essential ingredient: international cooperation based on global solidarity.

It is key to translating global commitments into concrete action. Unfortunately, water funding remains inadequate and is declining worldwide. Meeting future water and water infrastructure needs will require an estimated US$6.7 trillion by 2030 and more than US$22 trillion by 2050.

To ensure a water-secure future, we must prioritize broad international cooperation, especially in the areas of financing, technology development and capacity building for those who need it most.

What are the most effective approaches to improve the efficiency, sustainability and stability of water resources management?

In my dialogues with countries and stakeholders on water, I continually emphasize that water is everyone’s responsibility. No one person, institution or country can solve global water problems alone. Governments, the private sector, academia, civil society organizations and other stakeholders must all play an active role in shaping and implementing water governance policies.

A multi-stakeholder approach enhances ownership by ensuring that everyone is involved in planning, implementing and evaluating water decisions. It draws on the diverse experiences and capabilities of each stakeholder.

Equally important is a multi-sectoral approach that integrates water into all aspects of development. Through integrated water resources management, water can become a unifying factor in addressing multiple global challenges, including poverty eradication, climate resilience, food and energy security, disaster risk reduction, and the empowerment of women and youth.

These approaches depend on a robust operational framework. This is where the triple bottom line (advocacy, alignment and catalysing action) becomes critical: advocacy to raise the profile of water as a shared priority; alignment to ensure that all water-related initiatives are interconnected; and catalysing rapid innovation and action.

Finally, we must not miss the opportunity to harness the transformative role of technology in making water management more efficient, sustainable and resilient. With technology, we can manage and use water efficiently. We can produce more – food, energy, and higher rates of economic growth – with less water.

Where do you think the IAEA can be of greatest assistance in addressing water resource issues using nuclear science and technology?

With a strong focus on research, development and capacity building, the IAEA has much to offer.

Isotope hydrology is a prime example of the transformative potential of nuclear sciences to solve complex water problems. Its ability to accurately trace the origin, age and quality of water makes it a revolutionary tool in water management.

It also provides us with a deep understanding of the world’s water systems, allowing us not only to respond to existing challenges but also to anticipate and prepare for future risks from water-related disasters. It enhances early warning capabilities and long-term planning for sustainable access to water resources.

I encourage the IAEA to continue to prioritize the application of nuclear science to address the world’s most pressing water challenges, particularly those that disproportionately affect developing countries, such as drought and water scarcity, the risk of flooding due to extreme weather events, and water pollution. I believe that through the application of nuclear science and technology, the IAEA will contribute to improving the sustainability of access to water resources worldwide.

What hopes and expectations do you have for the 2026 United Nations Water Conference?

I am guided by the hopes and expectations that are continually expressed by countries and water stakeholders around the world.

There are high expectations for the 2026 United Nations Water Conference. It will be a key milestone in global progress on water and an opportunity to accelerate progress towards Sustainable Development Goal 6 (clean water and sanitation).

The Conference is also expected to inform and shape the future of the global water agenda beyond 2030. This reflects the growing recognition that securing the future of our water resources requires not only immediate action, but also a clear vision for tomorrow, for both people and the planet.

The success of the 2026 United Nations Water Conference depends largely on the sustained and committed efforts of countries and water stakeholders around the world. Meaningful and practical results can only be achieved through inclusive and transparent preparations. I am committed to working with the IAEA to achieve this goal.

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From 15 to 19 September, representatives from the 180 IAEA Member States will gather at the Agency's Headquarters in Vienna, Austria, to participate in 69th session of the IAEA General Conference.

Speaking to the Board of Governors, Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi stressed that the IAEA supports the priorities of its Member States through the use of nuclear science and technology for peaceful purposes.

“The Agency has made significant progress in implementing its flagship initiatives, advancing nuclear technology to address global challenges in health, food security, environmental sustainability and climate change,” he said in his statement. introductory remarks.

At the opening of the General Conference today, Mr Grossi will report on the Agency's work and achievements over the past year.

To learn more about what's happening at the IAEA General Conference, check out our Q&A Here.

Over the course of the week, delegates will discuss a range of topics, from the 2024 annual report and 2026 budget to activities related to nuclear science, technology and applications, as well as the IAEA’s work in nuclear safety and security and strengthening the effectiveness and efficiency of the Agency’s safeguards. They will also consider challenges related to nuclear safety, security and safeguards in Ukraine, as well as safeguards in the Middle East and the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea. The sessions in the plenary room, including statements by officials and delegates, will be webcast live to the general public. Documents distributed to delegates are available for reviewHere.

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In September 2025, Vienna will host the 69th session of the IAEA General Conference, a key nuclear decision-making event attended by political leaders, scientists and representatives from 180 Member States. Read on for more information about the event and its impact on nuclear policy, the peaceful uses of nuclear energy and the work of the IAEA.

The General Conference is the IAEA's main policy forum, where representatives 180 Member States conduct discussions and make decisions on key issues that shape the Agency's work, from budget and programmes to areas of peaceful use of nuclear energy, nuclear science and technology.

Discussions could cover a wide range of topics, including introducing new members, implementing new initiatives to address development challenges, using artificial intelligence to improve the efficiency of nuclear power plants, and strengthening safeguards in conflict zones.

The General Conference sets the IAEA's course for the coming year, laying the foundation for its activities to remain effective, relevant and responsive to global needs.

Time and place of the event

The 69th session of the IAEA General Conference will be held from 15 to 19 September 2025 at the Vienna International Centre (VIC) in Vienna, Austria.

Participants

The event is attended by approximately 2,500–3,000 people, most of whom represent IAEA Member States. In addition, approximately 100 delegates from international organizations and 200 representatives of NGOs participate in the Conference. The live broadcast is watched by approximately 10,000–15,000 people worldwide.

Procedure for holding plenary sessions

The Conference will open with an address by the Director-General outlining the Agency's main activities for the year. This will be followed by addresses by the UN Secretary-General (through his representative) and the outgoing and incoming Presidents of the Conference. Representatives of all Member States will have the opportunity to make brief national statements before consideration of the agenda items. agenda. The issues brought up for discussion are adopted either by consensus or by vote, and the discussion of individual resolutions can continue until late at night. This page presents all statements in the order of their publication.

Subjects of resolutions adopted at the General Conference

Resolutions adopted by the General Conference cover a wide range of issues, including consideration of applications for membership in the Agency, approval of the budget, activities related to nuclear science, technology and applications, technical cooperation, nuclear safety and security aspects and non-proliferation. The resolutions adopted set the direction for international cooperation in the nuclear field. Resolutions adopted last year can be found by link.

Parallel events within the framework of the Conference

Over the course of the week, more than one hundred parallel events and exhibitions are held, where participants can learn about the latest scientific developments, visit laboratories, and exchange knowledge and experience on a wide range of issues.

The Conference also hosts an annual Scientific Forum, where scientists, politicians and ministers discuss a topical nuclear issue. Each year, the Forum helps answer the question of how nuclear science and technology can help solve pressing global problems. Previous Scientific Forums have addressed the following topics: food security, Nuclear Innovation for a Zero Emissions World, cancer treatment and others.

Key Events of the 2025 General Conference

Atoms for Water. This year’s two-day Scientific Forum will take place from Tuesday 16 September to Wednesday 17 September and will focus on water, offering discussions on how nuclear techniques can help countries manage their limited water resources more effectively. The IAEA’s new Visitor Centre will be open during the week. Located in Seibersdorf, Austria, visitors to the centre can explore state-of-the-art interactive exhibits and learn more about how the safe, secure and peaceful use of nuclear science and technology helps address global challenges in areas such as energy, health, food security, plastic pollution, cultural heritage and more. For more information, visit by link. The IAEA will inaugurate a new mobile electron beam facility housed in a 40-foot shipping container that can be loaned to countries for use in industry, medicine and research. Participants will be able to tour the VIC’s radiation protection and water resources laboratories, safeguards equipment and more. Member States, the IAEA and partner organizations will host a series of side events focusing on a variety of nuclear topics. See full list of events. A number of countries organize their national exhibitions at the VIC. See full list of exhibitions for 2025.

Organizing communication for participants from 180 countries

The working languages of the General Conference are Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian and Spanish. Thanks to the work of the UN Interpretation Section, delegates can follow the proceedings in any of these languages.

A total of 75 UN interpreters and 70 IAEA translators are jointly involved in providing language services for the General Conference plenary sessions and other key meetings, which often extend past midnight. In 2024, the IAEA team alone translated over 1 million words for the General Conference!

Remote Participation Options for the General Conference

The General Conference sessions in the plenary hall, including keynote speeches by officials and delegates,are broadcast livethroughout the week. The Scientific Forum sessions are also available in live broadcast mode.

Review of previous IAEA General Conferences

To get acquainted with the main events of the IAEA General Conference 2024, we suggest watching the video material presented below.

Video reviews of previous years can be found at the links: 2023, 2022, 2021. All General Conference photo galleries can be viewed Here.

In 2024, the IAEA maintained a live Conference blog with regular updates that complemented the daily summaries of key events and news. The materials from last year can be found by link, and starting Monday, you will be able to follow the events of the 2025 General Conference in real time.

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How does a cyclotron work?

The process begins with charged particles, such as positive or negative ions, being ejected into the center of the cyclotron, from where they begin to move outward in a spiral path.

Inside the cyclotron are two hollow, D-shaped metal electrodes (called "dees") that are positioned between the poles of a large magnet. The magnetic field causes the particles to move in a circle, and the alternating electric field increases the energy of the particle each time it crosses the gap between the two dees. As the particles gain speed and energy, they continue to spiral outward from the center.

Once the particles reach the outer edge of the cyclotron, they are directed towards the target. The collision of the accelerated particles with the target can cause a nuclear reaction, resulting in the formation of radioactive isotopes.

Almost a century after their invention, cyclotrons are still in wide demand due to their reliability, efficiency and versatility.

While the task of all particle accelerators consists in increasing the energy of the particles, a goal they achieve in different ways.

Cyclotrons accelerate particles in a spiral path using a constant magnetic field and an alternating electric field. One of the main advantages of a cyclotron is its spiral design. It allows for continuous acceleration in a relatively small space. As a result, cyclotrons are typically more compact (often fitting into a room) and more affordable than other accelerators. They can be installed in hospitals or university laboratories without the need for large-scale infrastructure. Cyclotrons are also well suited for producing specific types of radioactive isotopes needed for medical imaging and cancer treatment, as well as other localized applications in research or industry.

Linear accelerators, or linacs, in turn accelerate particles using a series of electric fields along a straight trajectory. Linacs can be simpler in design than cyclotrons, but linear accelerators often require significantly more space to achieve the same energy levels. They are widely used in radiation therapy, where precisely directed beams are used to treat tumors. radiation.

Another type of accelerator is the synchrotron. This is a much larger and more complex facility used in national research centers. Like cyclotrons, synchrotrons direct particles in a circular path, but use alternating magnetic fields and radio-frequency acceleration. These devices can reach extremely high energies, making them suitable for research in particle physics, materials science, and even drug development. However, due to their size and cost, synchrotrons are generally used in national or international research centers rather than hospitals or small laboratories.

Each type of accelerator plays its own important role, but cyclotrons remain the most widely used and convenient to use for standard medical applications.

How are cyclotrons used in the diagnosis and treatment of diseases?

Without cyclotrons, many of the tools, treatments and scientific discoveries that improve the quality of people's daily lives would not exist. Compact, efficient and relatively easy to operate, they are ideal for the production of medical radioisotopes — unstable atoms that emit radiation and are used to diagnose and treat cancer.

One important factor in the production of radioisotopes is the actual lifespan of the isotopes—that is, the time after production during which they remain radioactive and suitable for medical use.

Radioisotopes used in cancer treatments typically have a half-life of a few days, making them effective at killing cancer cells. They can also be transported from their production sites to hospitals and treatment centers in this short time.

At the same time, other diagnostic isotopes have extremely short half-lives – that is, they decay quickly, lose their effectiveness within a few hours, and cannot be transported over long distances.

Cyclotrons are valued for their ability to produce isotopes on-site or in close proximity to healthcare facilities, allowing patients to receive rapid, accurate diagnosis and timely treatment.

Medical imaging

Radiopharmaceutical scanning helps doctors accurately detect diseases such as cancer, Alzheimer's, and cardiovascular disease at an early stage. Early detection allows for improved diagnostics and more effective treatment planning.

Cancer Treatment

Cyclotrons are also used in cancer treatment, providing the production of special radioactive drugs for use in targeted radionuclide therapyThis type of treatment directs radiation directly at cancer cells, killing them with minimal damage to healthy tissue.

How are cyclotrons used today?

Cyclotrons play an important role in modern infrastructure, healthcare and scientific research.

There are currently thousands of cyclotrons in operation around the world, particularly in hospitals, cancer centers, and research facilities. As the demand for non-invasive diagnostic techniques such as PET and SPECT increases, there is a growing need for cyclotrons and research centers focused on producing radioisotopes without the use of uranium.

In the past, many medical radioisotopes were produced in nuclear reactors using uranium, which could create long-lived radioactive waste and raised concerns about nuclear and physical safety. In search of cleaner, safer ways to produce these important materials, countries are turning to cyclotrons, which can produce radioisotopes without using uranium.

A new generation of compact, low-power cyclotrons is making this technology accessible to smaller hospitals and institutions. Researchers continue to explore new applications of radioisotopes in environmental, materials science, and national security.

Although the basic operating principle of the cyclotron has remained unchanged since the 1930s, this vital technology continues to evolve and adapt to the needs of the 21st century.

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Following the discovery of radium by Marie Skłodowska-Curie and Pierre Curie at the turn of the 20th century, the element was used for decades in areas such as radiation therapy and brachytherapy, but is now largely unused, having given way to safer and more effective radioactive isotopes.

Dozens of countries around the world have disused radium sources, safely stored but not used. Under an IAEA initiative, about 80 participating countries with disused sources are working with organizations that can convert radium-226 into the extremely rare actinium-225 radioisotope, used in targeted alpha therapy to treat cancer.

Last month, a team of specialists from Brazil’s National Center for the Advancement of Nuclear Technologies and a U.S. radiopharmaceutical company prepared 397 radium-226 sources for shipment to the United States in August. Among them are three radium sources that Marie Sklodowska-Curie herself donated to the university hospital for research during her visit more than 80 years ago. Once delivered to the United States, these sources will significantly increase the supply of raw material for the production of actinium-225, helping advance cancer care worldwide.

“I highly appreciate the professionalism and leadership demonstrated by the Center for the Advancement of Nuclear Technologies in this important undertaking. As in previous operations in the Latin American and Caribbean region, our team of skilled professionals has made an important contribution to solving the problem of the long-lived radioactive and gas-emitting sources left over from previous activities, including the relics of Madame Curie,” said Francisco Rondinelli, Director General of Brazil’s National Atomic Energy Commission. “These efforts also provide valuable raw materials for the development of new tools for the treatment of cancer. This is what the circular economy in the context of nuclear applications is all about.”

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Deadline for submission of abstracts for presentation at IAEA International Conference on Safe and Secure Transport of Nuclear and Radioactive Material extended until September 30, 2025.

The IAEA estimates that 20 million shipments of radioactive material are transported each year. These materials are transported by road, rail, sea, air and inland waterway within countries and abroad for applications in areas such as medicine and human health, agriculture, nuclear energy and advanced scientific research.

The conference, to be held in Vienna, Austria, from 23 to 27 March 2026, will address issues such as the legislative and regulatory framework for the transport of nuclear and other radioactive material, the incorporation of nuclear safety and security requirements into design, and the maintenance of nuclear safety and security during transport operations. The conference will continue the work started at previous events in 2011 and 2021.

“For decades, the IAEA safety standards have served as the foundation for the safe transport of radioactive material. With rapid advances in nuclear and transport technologies, the global situation is changing rapidly. This conference aims to promote innovation, exchange of experience and strengthening of international standards,” said Shazia Fayyaz, Scientific Secretary of the conference and Head of the Transport Safety Group in the IAEA’s Division of Radiation, Transport and Waste Safety.

“During transport, nuclear and radioactive material may be exposed to a range of risks and threats specific to the mode of transport,” says Robert Officer, also the Scientific Secretary of the conference and Head of the Transport Security Group in the IAEA’s Division of Nuclear Security. “The conference will further raise awareness by sharing experiences in strengthening nuclear security and safety capabilities, including on topics such as legal and policy frameworks, as well as technological and commercial trends in protection at all stages of transport.”

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