The conference is a forum for Ministers and high-level policy-makers to discuss and take stock of the future of nuclear power and its contributions to sustainable development, climate change mitigation, and in meeting the growing world energy demand. The status and prospects of nuclear power, the importance of nuclear safety and security and national developments will also be in focus. Innovations and new technologies will also be discussed in the context of the development of nuclear power.

The advance briefing will be held in Room B0438 in the B Building of the Vienna International Centre (VIC). Journalists with permanent accreditation to the VIC need no further credentials. We encourage those journalists who do not yet have permanent accreditation to request it at UNIS Vienna.  All others must seek accreditation by contacting the IAEA Press Office; tel: [+43-1] 2600-21274 or [+43-1] 2600-21273.

Journalists may also monitor the briefing with live video streaming available online from 14:30 (no login needed).
NB: THIS IS A VIEW-ONLY CHANNEL.

The ministerial conference is organized by the IAEA in cooperation with the OECD’s Nuclear Energy Agency and hosted by the Government of the Russian Federation. It will feature a plenary session where national statements will be delivered and panel sessions on the following topics:

• Energy and the Environment;
• Nuclear Safety and Reliability Through International Cooperation;
• Infrastructure, Technology and Institutional Developments – The Way Forward; and
• Drivers for Deployment of Sustainable and Innovative Technology.

Speakers at the opening session include IAEA Director General Yukiya Amano, Rosatom Director General and Conference President, Sergey Kirienko, and OECD Secretary General, Angel Gurria.

The Conference hashtag on Twitter is #iaeaNP21C.

Previous IAEA Ministerial Conferences on Nuclear Power in the 21st Century were held 2005 in Paris and 2009 in Beijing.

More information about the conference is available here.

Accreditation

All journalists are requested to inform the IAEA Press Office of their plans to attend. Journalists with permanent credentials to the VIC need no additional credentials. Others should contact Ms Jayne Stringer for accreditation. Or call [43-1] 2600-21279 / [43-1] 2600-21273.

I am pleased to welcome you all back to our old Board Room. Those of us with long experience with the Agency have many memories of important events in this room. I thank the many Agency colleagues who worked very hard on the renovation. They did a great job. I hope the Board will have fruitful and productive discussions in this room, in the traditional spirit of Vienna, for decades to come.

Mr Chairman,

A number of important reports are on the agenda of this meeting.

The Annual Report for 2012 serves as the Board’s report to the General Conference, as well as the Agency’s report to the United Nations General Assembly and the general public. As the report shows, the Agency’s programme continues to make a real difference to the lives of many people throughout the world.

Technical Cooperation

The Technical Cooperation Report for 2012 details the many ways in which we make nuclear science and technology available for peaceful purposes.

For example, in Africa, we are supporting the use of nuclear techniques to estimate soil erosion, assess the effectiveness of soil conservation measures, and control pests. In Asia and the Pacific, ten regional projects related to food were initiated in 2012. In Europe, there was continued emphasis last year on safety and security in the peaceful use of nuclear technology. In Latin America, the Agency is helping to establish a database of levels of radioactivity in food.

In 2012, we expanded our e-learning programmes for Member States and provided support through fellowships, scientific visitors and specialised training in many areas. These included introducing nuclear power, promoting quality in nuclear medicine, and protecting radiation workers and the public from the hazards of ionizing radiation.

To maximise the impact of our technical cooperation programme, we are working to improve partnerships with other key international organizations. Later this month, we will sign updated Revised Arrangements with the FAO concerning the Joint FAO/IAEA Division of Nuclear Techniques in Food and Agriculture. In 2012, we signed a Practical Arrangement with the United Nations Industrial Development Organization to develop the role of nuclear technologies that can contribute to cleaner industrial production. We agreed with the Pan American Health Organization to intensify our common efforts in cancer, medical physics, non-communicable diseases, nutrition and other areas.

New resources for the TC programme totalled 70.7 million euros in 2012, which included 11.4 million euros in extra-budgetary contributions.

Nuclear Applications

Mr Chairman,

This year’s Scientific Forum in September will focus on protecting the coastal and marine environment, which covers over 70% of the surface of the earth. Entitled The Blue Planet, the Forum will consider the urgent need to respond to pressures such as pollution, unsustainable extraction of living resources, climate change and ocean acidification. The Forum will highlight the ways in which the use of nuclear and isotopic techniques can mitigate pollution and increase global understanding of changes in the environment. I encourage all Member States to participate fully.

Member States have requested Agency assistance in responding to an outbreak of a new strain of avian influenza known as H7N9. The Joint FAO/IAEA Division’s Animal Production and Health Laboratory is investigating rapid diagnostic techniques for identifying infected birds and poultry. We are also providing technical support and training to Member States.

Planning for the modernization of the nuclear applications laboratories in Seibersdorf is well underway. With your support, our scientists will be able to continue to provide ‘fit-for-purpose’ services to Member States. 

Nuclear Safety and Security

Mr Chairman,       

The IAEA will host an International Conference on Nuclear Security: Enhancing Global Efforts from the first to the fifth of July, here in Vienna. This is the first ministerial meeting on nuclear security which is open to all 159 IAEA Member States. I encourage all Member States to participate at a high level. I hope that Ministers will use the Conference Statement to send a strong message on the need to address nuclear security and express their support for the Agency’s role as the global platform for strengthening nuclear security. The Conference will also provide useful input into the next IAEA Nuclear Security Plan.

During the next General Conference in September, we will again hold a Treaty Event to promote adherence to key multilateral treaties for which the IAEA is depositary.  I hope that Member States will make use of this event. In particular, I encourage States to ratify and bring into force the Amendment to the Convention on the Physical Protection of Nuclear Material, which would provide an important basis for more effective global nuclear security efforts.

You have received my report on Progress in the Implementation of the IAEA Action Plan on Nuclear Safety.

Work is underway on a comprehensive Agency report on the Fukushima Daiichi accident, which will be finalised by the end of 2014. The goal is to produce an authoritative, factual and balanced assessment, addressing the causes and consequences of the accident, as well as lessons learned. This report is intended to serve as a key reference document on the accident for years to come. It is a major undertaking and I am grateful to all Member States which are in a position to provide support.

The latest in our series of post-Fukushima international experts’ meetings took place last month, focusing on human and organizational factors in nuclear safety. In April, an International Conference on Effective Nuclear Regulatory Systems took place in Ottawa, Canada. Also in April, the Agency organized a peer review by international experts of Japan’s Mid-and-Long-Term Roadmap towards the decommissioning of Fukushima Daiichi Units 1 to 4.

The Agency is actively supporting the Fukushima Prefecture in remediation and decontamination, management of waste generated during remediation activities, radiological mapping, and radiation monitoring in the environment. An IAEA Response and Assistance Network (RANET) Capacity Building Centre has been designated in Fukushima City and the first RANET workshop was organized there last week.  

Nuclear Energy

Mr Chairman,

The third International Ministerial Conference on Nuclear Power in the 21st Century will take place from June 27 to 29 in St Petersburg.  It will provide a valuable opportunity to look forward and consider nuclear power’s long-term contribution to sustainable development. I encourage all states to be represented at ministerial and senior expert level.

We continue to provide technical support both to countries embarking on nuclear power, and to established users. Poland hosted an Integrated Nuclear Infrastructure Review mission and an Integrated Regulatory Review Service mission. Bulgaria received an IRRS mission. In Romania, we initiated a National Nuclear Energy System Assessment.

In March, the Agency organized an International Conference on Fast Reactors and Related Fuel Cycles in Paris. The conference focused on strategic and technical options for deploying fast reactors operating with a closed fuel cycle in a safe, proliferation-resistant and economic manner. 

Several new nuclear energy publications will be produced in 2013, including one to help nuclear facility vendors and designers better understand international safeguards requirements. We have launched a new set of interactive e-learning modules covering the 19 infrastructure issues of the Agency’s milestones approach.

An IAEA expert mission starts today to the site of the Chernobyl nuclear power plant in Ukraine. The team will analyse the root causes of the recent collapse of the turbine hall roof at Unit 4.

Our efforts to help States reduce the civilian use of high enriched uranium (HEU) continue. In April, 68 kilograms of irradiated HEU were shipped from the Nuclear Research Institute in Řež in the Czech Republic to the MAYAK reprocessing facility in the Russian Federation. This was the sixth and final HEU shipment from the Czech Republic.

Assurance of Supply

Concerning the IAEA LEU Bank project, we have held a number of meetings with the Government of Kazakhstan to negotiate a Host State Agreement and supporting technical agreements. There have been a total of 12 technical missions to Kazakhstan to date. A number of technical matters, including the seismic assessment of the site, are being addressed.

Last week, we held a briefing to update Member States on our work on establishing the LEU Bank. I will continue to keep the Board informed of developments.

Nuclear Verification

Safeguards Implementation Report for 2012

Mr Chairman,

Turning now to nuclear verification, the Safeguards Implementation Report for 2012 has been distributed. It details our work implementing safeguards in 179 States with safeguards agreements in force. The Agency’s findings are based upon our evaluation of the information available to the Agency in exercising its rights and fulfilling its obligations under safeguards. We draw our conclusions on the basis of these findings.

As the report shows, we have continued to improve the efficiency of safeguards implementation. Improved cooperation from State and regional authorities has been an important factor in maintaining this trend.

As requested by Member States, I intend to submit a report on the conceptualisation and development of safeguards implementation at the State level to the September Board.

ECAS Project

I will briefly update you on the status of the ECAS project – Enhancing Capabilities of the Safeguards Analytical Services.

Construction of the new Nuclear Material Laboratory remains on schedule and within budget. The handover of the new laboratory is scheduled for July 10, when we will take formal occupancy of the building. The phased transfer of operations from the old building will run through 2014.

Remaining tasks include construction of the site infrastructure and preparation of non-laboratory space. We are paying special attention to ensuring that the new facilities fully comply with IAEA safety standards and security guidance. For final completion of the project, further extra-budgetary support is urgently required. I am grateful for the support of Member States which have contributed so far, and encourage all those in a position to do so to make a financial contribution.

Conclusion of Safeguards Agreements and Additional Protocols

Since my last report to the Board, Denmark has brought an additional protocol into force with respect to Greenland. Bosnia and Herzegovina brought into force a comprehensive safeguards agreement. Vanuatu brought into force a comprehensive safeguards agreement, a small quantities protocol and an additional protocol. Andorra and Mauritania amended their small quantities protocols.

The number of States with additional protocols in force now stands at 120. I strongly hope that remaining States will conclude additional protocols as soon as possible. I also ask the 12 States without NPT safeguards agreements in force to bring such agreements into force without delay, and I call on States with the old small quantities protocols to amend or rescind them, if they have not yet done so.

Application of Safeguards in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea

I remain concerned about the situation in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, particularly since its announcement of a third test of a nuclear weapon in February. Once again, I strongly urge the DPRK to fully implement all relevant resolutions of the Security Council, the IAEA General Conference and the Board of Governors.

I reiterate my call for the DPRK to fully comply with the NPT and to cooperate promptly and fully with the Agency. The IAEA remains ready to contribute to the peaceful resolution of this issue by resuming its nuclear verification activities once political agreement is reached among the countries concerned.

Implementation of Safeguards in the Islamic Republic of Iran

Mr Chairman,

As my report on safeguards implementation in Iran shows, the Agency continues to verify the non-diversion of nuclear material declared by Iran under its Safeguards Agreement. However, Iran is not providing the necessary cooperation to enable us to provide credible assurance about the absence of undeclared nuclear material and activities. The Agency therefore cannot conclude that all nuclear material in Iran is in peaceful activities.

Iran continues to advance its heavy water related projects. The number of centrifuges installed by Iran also continues to increase, as does the amount of enriched uranium it holds. These activities are in clear contravention of resolutions adopted by the Board of Governors and the United Nations Security Council. 

Iran is still not implementing the modified Code 3.1 of its Subsidiary Arrangements General Part. This is a matter of concern in light of statements made by Iran in relation to the construction of new research reactors, new uranium enrichment facilities and new power reactors. In particular, the lack of up to date design information on the IR-40 Reactor at Arak is having an increasingly adverse impact on our ability to effectively verify the design of the facility and to implement an effective safeguards approach.

At the last Board meeting in March, I expressed the hope that I would be able to report real progress in clarifying outstanding issues related to Iran’s nuclear programme to the June Board.

That has not been possible. Despite the intensified dialogue between the Agency and Iran since January 2012, during which time ten rounds of talks have been held, no agreement has been reached on the structured approach document. To be frank, for some time now we have been going around in circles. This is not the right way to address issues of such great importance to the international community, including Iran. We need to achieve concrete results without further delay to restore international confidence in the peaceful nature of Iran’s nuclear activities. In order to achieve that objective, the Agency has made clear its view of the elements which the structured approach should contain. First and foremost, Iran has to address the Agency’s requirement to conduct effective verification. Unless Iran does so, it will not be possible for the Agency to resolve outstanding issues, including those relating to possible military dimensions to Iran’s nuclear programme.

I reiterate my request that Iran give substantive answers to the Agency’s detailed questions regarding Parchin and the foreign expert, and provide access to the location at the Parchin site of interest to the Agency. The Agency remains committed to constructive dialogue that will lead to concrete results.

The Agency has solid grounds for requesting clarification in relation to possible military dimensions. The resolutions of both the Board of Governors and the United Nations Security Council have urged Iran to cooperate with the Agency to resolve all outstanding issues, including those relating to possible military dimensions. In its resolution of 13 September 2012, the Board of Governors stressed that it was essential for Iran to conclude and implement the structured approach “immediately”. I do not need to remind the Board that the Agency has the right and the obligation to verify the correctness and completeness of safeguards declarations.

I urge Iran to fully implement its Safeguards Agreement, and its other obligations, and to engage with us to achieve concrete results in resolving all outstanding issues with a sense of urgency.      

Implementation of the NPT Safeguards Agreement in the Syrian Arab Republic

Concerning the Implementation of the NPT Safeguards Agreement in the Syrian Arab Republic, the Board will recall the Agency’s conclusion that a building destroyed at the Dair Alzour site was very likely to have been a nuclear reactor and should have been declared by Syria.

There have been no significant developments since my March statement to the Board. I renew my call to Syria to cooperate fully with us in connection with unresolved issues related to the Dair Alzour site and other locations. I will continue to keep the Board informed.

Programme and Budget

The Agency’s Draft Programme and Budget for 2014–2015 has been the subject of extensive consultations. It sets forth the appropriate balance among Major Programmes and identifies the main priorities for the Agency during this biennium. These are technical cooperation, nuclear safety and security, and the modernization of the nuclear applications laboratories in Seibersdorf. The statutory function related to nuclear energy remains an Agency priority.

The proposal balances the increasing needs of Member States for the Agency’s services, while taking into consideration the financial constraints that many Member States face. I assure Member States that I remain committed to vigorously implementing efficiency and cost-saving measures throughout the coming biennium. I look forward to your adoption of the Programme and Budget proposal.

As you may recall, 2011 was the first year in which the Agency’s financial statements were prepared on the basis of International Public Sector Accounting Standards, known as IPSAS. In 2012, we fine-tuned the financial statements by improving presentation and adding comparative information for the previous year. We have again received an unqualified audit opinion from the External Auditor.

Finally, Mr Chairman, I note that three senior colleagues will shortly be leaving us: Mr Vilmos Cserveny, Secretary to the Policy-Making Organs; Mr Rafael Mariano Grossi, Assistant Director General for Policy and Chef de Cabinet; and Mr Neville Whiting, Director of the Division of Operations B in the Department of Safeguards. I thank all of them for their dedicated service to the Agency and wish them every success in future.

Thank you, Mr Chairman.

More than 40 participants from 18 countries took part in the four-day Response and Assistance Network (RANET) workshop, which included a field exercise in areas affected following the March 2011 accident at TEPCO’s Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station.

During the exercise, participants conducted radiation monitoring and environmental sampling and analysis. They measured the contamination level of the ground surface and conducted gamma spectrum analysis and vehicle-based monitoring – activities that are conducted following any nuclear or radiological incident or emergency. Results were then compared amongst participants.

RANET is a network currently comprising 22 countries through which the IAEA can facilitate the provision of expert support and equipment on request under the Convention on Assistance in the Case of a Nuclear Accident or Radiological Emergency.

Pat Kenny, IAEA RANET Officer, said the workshop provided an opportunity to practice cooperation between international teams that would be deployed through RANET following an emergency.

“By bringing together so many experts from different countries in one place, the workshop helped us learn how international teams can work together to provide assistance in a nuclear or radiological emergency situation,” he said. “It also enabled us to improve the coordination of such assistance, and it gave participants the opportunity to learn from each other.”

The workshop was the first activity conducted from the IAEA RANET Capacity Building Centre, a new training centre based in the city of Fukushima that was designated earlier this week with the support of the Japanese Foreign Ministry and Fukushima Prefecture. The Centre will host RANET and other training courses, workshops and exercises aimed at enhancing nuclear emergency preparedness and response, both in Japan and worldwide, in light of the March 2011 accident.

The workshop and the Centre’s activities are part of the IAEA’s work to further strengthen international emergency preparedness and response, as guided by the IAEA Action Plan on Nuclear Safety that was unanimously endorsed by IAEA Member States in September 2011.

Ambassador Shin Maruo, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Masao Uchibori, Deputy Governor of Fukushima Prefecture and Elena Buglova, IAEA Incident and Emergency Centre Head delivered remarks during the ceremony.

The Centre will be home to training courses, workshops and exercises aimed at enhancing nuclear emergency preparedness and response capacity, both in Japan and worldwide, in light of the March 2011 accident at TEPCO’s Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station. The Centre is supported by the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) and Fukushima Prefecture.

The first activity in the Centre, an IAEA RANET Workshop, will start tomorrow and conclude on 31 May 2013. More than 40 experts from 18 countries will participate in the workshop, which will involve a field exercise in Fukushima Prefecture. During this exercise, participants will conduct radiation monitoring and environmental sampling and analysis. They will monitor beta and gamma dose rate, the contamination level of the ground surface and conduct gamma spectrum analysis and vehicle-based monitoring.

Through RANET, the IAEA can mobilize the provision of expert support and equipment by request under the Convention on Assistance in the Case of a Nuclear Accident or Radiological Emergency.

The Centre forms part of the IAEA’s work to further strengthen international emergency preparedness and response, as guided by the IAEA Action Plan on Nuclear Safety which was unanimously endorsed by IAEA Member States in September 2011.

“Working together, the IAEA’s Member States have already made significant progress in this area, but we can never stop working to improve it further,” Ms. Buglova said at the ceremony. “Through efforts here at the IAEA RANET Capacity Building Centre and elsewhere, the IAEA is working to make nuclear energy as safe as humanly possible.”

Ambassador Maruo added:
“It is important that we contribute to enhancing nuclear safety in the world by sharing experiences and lessons from Fukushima Prefecture with the global community. Strengthening nuclear preparedness and response capabilities through the activities of the IAEA RANET Capacity Building Centre contributes to the enhancement of nuclear safety in Fukushima Prefecture, in the Asia-Pacific area and consequently in the world.”

One IAEA staff member is based at the Centre, with other IAEA staff members visiting as needed. Further workshops will be organized, both for Japanese and international participants.

The Centre will be home to several IAEA activities aimed at enhancing emergency preparedness and response capacity, both in Japan and worldwide, in light of the March 2011 Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant accident.

A ceremony to mark the designation of the Centre, which was designated following Practical Arrangements entered by the IAEA and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan in December 2012, will be held on 27 May, 2013.

The first activity in the Centre, an IAEA RANET workshop, will start the following day, and conclude on 31 May. About 40 experts from 18 countries will participate in the workshop, which will involve a field exercise in Fukushima Prefecture.

Through RANET, the IAEA can mobilise the expert support and equipment to facilitate the provision of international assistance by request under the Convention on Assistance in the Case of a Nuclear Accident or Radiological Emergency.

The ceremony to mark the designation of the IAEA RANET Capacity Building Centre is open to the media. The ceremony, set to start at 14:00 at Fukushima Jichikaikan, will feature speeches by Ms. Elena Buglova, IAEA Incident and Emergency Centre head; Ambassador Shin Maruo, Ministry of Foreign Affairs; and Fukushima Deputy Governor Masao Uchibori. The ceremony will be followed by an informal press briefing.

In addition, journalists will have the following opportunity to cover the IAEA RANET Workshop:

 -     09:30 28 May at Fukushima Jichikaikan, Room 303:  Opening statements by Ms. Elena Buglova, IAEA Incident and Emergency Centre Head, and Mr. Tetsuya Hasegawa, Director General, Living and Environment Department, Fukushima Prefecture.

-     For more information, please contact IAEA Press Officer Susanna Loof, +43 699-165-22046

Good morning, Ladies and Gentlemen,

When I addressed the last WANO Biennial Meeting in Shenzhen, China, in October 2011, we were still in the direct aftermath of the Fukushima Daiichi accident. Japan was working hard to stabilise the crippled nuclear reactors.

We have come a long way since then. In Japan, a relatively stable situation has been established at Fukushima Daiichi, although the clean-up and remediation work will take many years. Internationally, many useful lessons have been learned. Effective steps have been taken to make nuclear power plants safer everywhere. There has been much sharing of information and experience.

After more than two years, we are beginning to put the Fukushima Daiichi accident behind us and looking to the future with a stronger commitment than ever to nuclear safety.

Public confidence in the safety of nuclear power was deeply shaken by the accident. I believe we have made good progress towards winning back that confidence. But operators, regulators and governments must maintain their unwavering commitment to safety. They must also continue to demonstrate as much openness and transparency as are compatible with safety and security.

Cooperation between WANO and the IAEA has been significantly strengthened in the past two years. You have played a vital role in ensuring that nuclear operators everywhere learn the necessary lessons from Fukushima Daiichi.

Mr Chairman,

The key focus for the IAEA and our 159 Member States has been implementation of the IAEA Action Plan on Nuclear Safety, which was endorsed by our General Conference in September 2011. I will highlight a few of the main areas in which solid progress has been made.

First, stress tests.

Most IAEA Member States have completed assessments of safety vulnerabilities of nuclear power plants to ensure their ability to withstand extreme natural events. Many countries have developed action plans to implement the findings of the stress tests in order to improve safety in the short, medium and long term.

Second, safety standards.

IAEA safety standards have been subjected to thorough review, particularly the safety requirements applicable to nuclear power plants and spent fuel storage. No deficiencies were identified, but specific areas are nevertheless being strengthened. These include the requirements dealing with prolonged loss of power, identification of potential external hazards, and measures to ensure safety under severe accident conditions.

Third, peer reviews.

The IAEA has expanded its programme of peer reviews of operational safety, emergency preparedness, and regulatory effectiveness, to meet growing demand from Member States, both with and without nuclear power plants. Countries embarking on new nuclear power programmes are especially interested in our Integrated Nuclear Infrastructure Review Missions, known as INIR.

Last year, we carried out eight Emergency Preparedness Review – EPREV – missions. This was the largest number in a single year since this programme began. In addition, the IAEA established the Emergency Preparedness and Response Expert Group (EPREG) to advise on strategies to strengthen international practices for nuclear and radiological emergencies.  We are actively involved in strengthening Member States’ emergency preparedness and response capacities through training events and exercises at the national level.

The Action Plan called on all Member States with nuclear power plants to host at least one IAEA Operational Safety Review – OSART - mission within three years. However, requests for this review service do not appear to have increased and several countries have still not requested an OSART mission. I encourage all countries to make full use of the whole range of IAEA peer reviews.

I also encourage all nuclear power plant operators to undergo international review of their severe accident management programmes and make the results public. Severe accident management has been a stand-alone review area within the OSART peer review service since 2011. It has been evaluated in eight OSART missions so far and some good practices were identified.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Great progress has been made in improving cooperation between WANO and the IAEA since I last spoke to you.

As you know, Mr Stricker and I signed a new Memorandum of Understanding between WANO and the IAEA in September 2012. This has enabled us to work more closely together to support the safe and reliable operation of the world’s nuclear power plants and to enhance information exchange.

WANO and the IAEA are adopting a more coordinated approach to their work in order to help prevent further accidents and to mitigate the consequences if an accident should occur. WANO has established a point of contact for communication with the IAEA’s Incident and Emergency Centre.

WANO has provided the Agency with the recommendations from all of its Significant Operating Experience Reports as of 5 April 2013. We, for our part, have given WANO broader access to our joint IAEA/NEA web-based International Reporting System database, and to IRS Highlights.

Our two organizations have exchanged information about the schedules of peer reviews and related missions to be conducted in the coming years. We plan to coordinate the timing of our respective review missions in future. This should help to reduce duplication and ease the burden on operators.

WANO representatives are attending meetings of the IAEA International Nuclear Safety Advisory Group (INSAG) and of the Nuclear Safety Standards Committee. WANO staff have made presentations at several important IAEA meetings, including the post-Fukushima International Experts Meetings.

These improvements address many of the issues which I raised in my last statement to WANO. I believe they are making an important difference to global nuclear safety.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

As you may recall, the Fukushima Ministerial Conference on Nuclear Safety took place in December 2012 in Fukushima Prefecture. The main goal was to contribute to strengthening nuclear safety worldwide.

In their concluding statement, the Co-Presidents stressed that strengthening nuclear safety is a continuous process and that there should be no complacency in safety matters. I know we all agree on that. In fact, I am pleased that I have seen no let-up in the past two years in the sense of urgency of everyone involved in nuclear power about the importance of improving nuclear safety.

The IAEA has begun work on a comprehensive report on the Fukushima Daiichi accident, which will be finalised by the end of 2014. The goal is to produce an authoritative, factual and balanced assessment, with sufficient technical depth to be of real value to experts in the field. The report will address the causes and consequences of the accident, as well as lessons learned. We will draw on the support of regulators, operators and designers, among others.

This IAEA report will be a major undertaking, which will involve well over 100 experts from more than 40 countries. The intention is that it should serve as the key reference document on the accident for years to come. I am grateful for the support of WANO members.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Despite the Fukushima Daiichi accident, nuclear power will remain a very important part of the world’s energy mix for at least decades to come.

The latest IAEA projections suggest that the total number of nuclear power plants in the world – 436 today – could increase by at least 80 or 90 in the next 20 years. It could even double.

Major users such as China, Russia and India have significant expansion plans. A number of countries have taken the decision to introduce nuclear power, including Bangladesh, Jordan, Nigeria, Poland, Turkey and Vietnam. The United Arab Emirates has started building a nuclear power plant, the first new country to do so for 27 years.

Next month, the IAEA International Ministerial Conference on Nuclear Power in the 21st Century will take place in St Petersburg. I believe it could prove to be a turning point for nuclear power. The emphasis will be on the way forward. The conference will discuss issues such as energy and the environment, the deployment of innovative technology, new models of financing, and developments in radioactive waste management.

The St Petersburg conference will be attended not just by Ministers, but also by high-level representatives of the nuclear industry. It will provide a valuable opportunity to consider nuclear power’s long-term contribution to sustainable development.

It is clear to me that the contribution of nuclear power to development in the coming decades will be significant. I am confident that WANO and the IAEA will continue to work closely together to ensure that the expansion of nuclear power takes place in a way which ensures maximum safety, reliability and efficiency.

I wish you every success with your Biennial General Meeting.

Thank you.

17 May 2013 | The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) will host an International Experts’ Meeting (IEM) on Human and Organizational Factors in Nuclear Safety in the Light of the Accident at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant from 21 to 24 May 2013. This is part of a series of expert meetings held in connection with the implementation of the IAEA Action Plan on Nuclear Safety, endorsed by the Agency’s General Conference in September 2011.

The IEM will offer a forum to share knowledge and experience concerning human and organizational aspects of nuclear safety — in particular, the interactions between individuals, technology and organizations — as well as to identify lessons learned and best practices.

The meeting will feature a closing news briefing on 24 May at about 11:00 (previously scheduled for 12:00) in Room M3 of Vienna International Centre. The briefing will feature IEM Chairperson, Marta Ziakova, Chairperson of the Slovak Nuclear Regulatory Authority, IAEA Deputy Director General for Nuclear Safety and Security Denis Flory, and IAEA Deputy Director General for Nuclear Energy Alexander Bychkov.

Among other goals, the IEM aims to:

• Identify ways to strengthen human and organizational aspects of nuclear safety in operating and regulatory organizations;
• Analyse best practices developed from previous nuclear events; and
• Exchange information on the interactions between individuals, technology and organizations and their influence on nuclear safety.

The IEM background, objectives, topics, format and other organizational details are described on the IAEA Website.

Press Access:

In addition to the closing news briefing, the meeting will offer a 10-minute photo opportunity at the start of the opening session on 21 May at 13:00 in Room M3 of the Vienna International Centre.

The remainder of the meeting will be closed to journalists.

Accreditation:

Journalists with permanent accreditation to the VIC need no further credentials. We encourage those journalists who do not yet have permanent accreditation, to request it at UNIS Vienna. All others must seek accreditation by contacting the IAEA Press Office; tel: [43-1] 2600-21273).

Background on Nuclear Action Safety Plan

The IAEA Nuclear Safety Action Plan defines a programme of work to strengthen the nuclear safety framework worldwide in light of the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station accident. The Plan was unanimously endorsed by Agency’s Member States at the General Conference in September 2011. One of the Plan’s 12 main actions is “Protection of people and the environment from ionizing radiation.”

Reports from 2012 IEMs:

• IAEA Report on Reactor and Spent Fuel Safety in Light of Accident at Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant
• IAEA Report on Enhancing Transparency and Communication Effectiveness in Event of a Nuclear or Radiological Emergency
• IAEA Report on Protection Against Extreme Earthquakes and Tsunamis in Light of Accident at Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant

“We had intensive discussions today but could not finalize the structured approach document that has been under negotiation for a year and a half now.

“Our commitment to continue dialogue is unwavering. However, we must recognize that our best efforts have not been successful so far.

“Therefore, we will continue to try and complete this process. A date for the next meeting has still to be set.”

“Good morning everybody. 

As we indicated in February, our goal is to finalize the structured approach document. This document is aimed at facilitating the resolution of outstanding issues regarding possible military dimensions to Iran’s nuclear program. 

As you know, differences remain, but we are committed to dialogue and we are determined to solve these issues. So we will be working hard today to resolve the differences. 

 Thank you.”

In its preliminary report, the Integrated Regulatory Review Service (IRRS) mission team found that Poland’s nuclear regulator, Państwowa Agencja Atomistyki (PAA), has a clear commitment to safety, a high level of transparency, competent staff and leadership, and a good recognition of challenges ahead related to Poland’s efforts to develop nuclear power.

“Poland’s regulatory framework and the work of PAA give high confidence of strong radiation protection for the Polish people. Further, there has been significant progress in the development of Poland’s regulatory framework in preparation for the challenge of regulating nuclear power,” said team leader Robert Lewis, a senior executive in the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission.

The mission was conducted at the request of the Government of Poland from 15-25 April. The team was made up of 11 regulatory experts from Belgium, the Czech Republic, Finland, France, the Republic of Korea, Slovakia, Slovenia, Sweden, the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom and the United States, as well as five IAEA staff members.

“The IRRS review team was very thorough in its review, and we welcome its advice on how to continue to improve our programmes to protect people and the environment,” said Janusz Włodarski, President of PAA.

The team interviewed members of PAA and officials from various ministries, as well as key players in the Polish safety framework. Such IRRS missions are peer reviews based on IAEA Safety Standards, not inspections or audits.

Among its main observations the IRRS review team identified the following good practices:

•      Applying the considerable experience of PAA’s senior management to regulatory issues;

•      The introduction of changes to Poland’s laws and regulations following broad public consultation at an early stage in the development of the nuclear power programme;  and

•      PAA’s proactive approach to coordination with Poland’s Office of Technical Inspection.

The IRRS team made several recommendations and suggestions for PAA as it grows in the next few years, facing challenges and increasing demands as its nuclear power programme expands. 

To position PAA to address its growth, additional responsibilities, and the retirement of many senior managers, and to maintain its strong focus on safety for currently regulated facilities and activities, the IRRS team advised PAA to:

•       Establish and frequently review that there is a clear link between PAA’s organizational goals and objectives, and resource planning, such as staffing and strategies for external support;

•       Consider strengthening and documenting PAA’s management system; and

•       Develop and strengthen internal guidance to document authorization processes, review, assessment, and inspection procedures. 

In its preliminary report, the IAEA team’s main conclusions have been conveyed to PAA. A final report will be submitted to the Government of Poland in about three months. PAA has informed the team that the final report will be made publicly available. The IAEA encourages nations to invite a follow-up IRRS mission about two years after the mission has been completed.

Background

The team reviewed the legal and regulatory framework for nuclear safety and addressed all facilities regulated by PAA. This was the 46th IRRS mission conducted by the IAEA.

About IRRS Missions

IRRS missions are designed to strengthen and enhance the effectiveness of the national nuclear regulatory infrastructure of States, while recognizing the ultimate responsibility of each State to ensure safety in this area.

This is done through consideration of regulatory, technical and policy issues, with comparisons against IAEA safety standards and, where appropriate, good practices elsewhere.

More information about IRRS missions is available on the IAEA Website.

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The conference aims to provide a forum for policy-makers and experts to discuss and take stock of the role and viability of nuclear power in sustainable development, including climate change mitigation, and in meeting the growing global requirements for electricity. The status and prospects of nuclear power for the future, including the importance of nuclear safety and security as necessary prerequisites for nuclear power, will also be in focus, as will different technical aspects involved in the development of nuclear power.

The IAEA’s projections for the future of nuclear power show continued growth globally, albeit at a slower pace than predicted before the March 2011 accident at TEPCO’s Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station.

The meeting, organized by the IAEA in cooperation with the OECD’s Nuclear Energy Agency and hosted by the Government of the Russian Federation, will feature a plenary session where national statements will be delivered and panel sessions on the following topics:

 Energy and the Environment

 Nuclear Safety and Reliability Through International Cooperation

 Infrastructure, Technology and Institutional Developments — The Way Forward

 Drivers for Deployment of Sustainable and Innovative Technology

Speakers at the opening session include IAEA Director General Yukiya Amano, Rosatom Director General and Conference President Sergey Kirienko, and OECD Secretary General Angel Gurria.

Previous IAEA Ministerial Conferences on Nuclear Power in the 21st Century were held 2005 in Paris and 2009 in Beijing.

More information about the conference is available here.

Journalists wishing to cover the conference must follow procedures for media accreditation specified by Rosatom and are reminded of the need to leave time to obtain a visa if required. The deadline for accreditation is 1 June 2013.

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As requested by the Government of Japan, the IAEA team held extensive discussions with officials from the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) and Tokyo Electric Power Company (TEPCO). The team also met with officials of the Nuclear Regulation Authority. The team visited the nuclear accident site to gain first-hand information about conditions at the power plant and progress toward decommissioning the facility.

“Extraordinarily committed workers have made significant accomplishments at Fukushima Daiichi since the March 2011 accident, but Japan continues to face difficult challenges as it works to decommission the site,” said team leader Juan Carlos Lentijo, IAEA Director of Nuclear Fuel Cycle and Waste Technology. “We saw that TEPCO has achieved the stable cooling of the reactors and spent fuel pools at the site.”

The 13-member IAEA team examined a wide variety of issues related to decommissioning the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station, such as the Roadmap’s overall strategic approach, the current condition of the reactors and spent fuel pools, the management of the huge amount of accumulated water at the site, as well as the radioactive releases.

In a draft report delivered to Japanese authorities today, the team acknowledged a number of accomplishments that have been made to prepare Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station for decommissioning. For example:

• Japan has addressed the plant’s decommissioning in a timely manner, as demonstrated by its early preparation of the Roadmap and its acceleration of plans to remove fuel from the spent fuel pools at Units 1-4.  In addition, Japan has logical and rational plans for the most complex task: removing damaged fuel from the reactors;
• TEPCO has successfully deployed advanced and large-scale treatment technologies for decontaminating and desalinating  highly radioactive water that has accumulated at the site; and
• The Government of Japan and TEPCO have recognized the importance of effective stakeholder involvement and public communication in dealing with decommissioning programmes.

In addition, the IAEA team provided advice in areas where current practices could be improved. For example:

• Launching efforts to define an end-state of the Fukushima Daiichi NPS site would help focus decommissioning efforts.  This effort should be pursued with effective stakeholder involvement;
• An assessment of TEPCO’s incident reporting and communication practices — with the government, the regulator, and the public – could help to enhance stakeholder trust and respect;
• TEPCO should continue its efforts to improve the reliability of essential systems, to assess the structural integrity of site facilities, and to enhance protection against external hazards; and
• Measures should continue to improve management issues regarding radioactive releases and radiation exposures from the site, particularly issues created by the storage of accumulated water. The team encourages Japan to assess the overall benefit of the site-boundary dose limit, particularly in relation to the radiation levels at the site boundary due to solids and liquids stored at the site.

“Our team received good cooperation from all our Japanese counterparts, who are remarkably dedicated to moving forward quickly, yet safely,” Lentijo said.  “I hope our mission can help their progress, and I know the international community is learning many lessons from the Japanese experience.”

The IAEA team’s final report will be delivered to Japan within one month.

Japan’s request for the mission came in the context of the IAEA Action Plan on Nuclear Safety, endorsed by all IAEA Member States in September 2011. The Action Plan defines a programme of work to strengthen the global nuclear safety framework, and it encourages the use of peer review missions to take full advantage of worldwide experience.

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Media and Outreach Section
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The Integrated Regulatory Review Service (IRRS) mission, conducted at the request of the Government of Bulgaria, identified a series of good practices and made recommendations to help enhance the overall performance of the regulatory system. IRRS missions, which were initiated in 2006, are peer reviews based on the IAEA Safety Standards; they are not inspections or audits.

“Bulgaria has a clear national policy and strategy for safety, which are well in line with international standards and practices and contribute to a high level of nuclear safety,” said Mission Team Leader Marta Ziakova, Chairperson of the Nuclear Regulatory Authority of the Slovak Republic.

The mission team, which conducted the review from 8-19 April, was made up of 16 senior regulatory experts from 16 nations, and six IAEA staff.

“The results of the IRRS mission will be valuable for the future development and reinforcement of the Bulgarian Nuclear Safety Agency (BNRA). The use of international standards and good practices helps to improve global harmonization in all areas of nuclear safety and radiation protection,” said Sergey Tzotchev, Chairman of the BNRA.

Among the main observations in its preliminary report, the IRRS mission team found that BNRA operates as an independent regulatory body and conducts its regulatory processes in an open and transparent manner.

In line with the IAEA Action Plan on Nuclear Safety, the mission reviewed the regulatory implications for Bulgaria of the March 2011 accident at TEPCO’s Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station in Japan. It found that the BNRA’s response to the lessons learned from that accident was both prompt and effective,

Strengths and good practices identified by the IRRS team include the following:

-          A no-blame policy is enshrined in law for the notification of nuclear and radiation safety-related events;

-          Provisions established by the BNRA to manage its technical support organisations provide a good basis to use them effectively;

-          The process to establish and keep updated regulations and guidelines is well structured and involves, as necessary, relevant interested parties;

-          The BNRA has a policy of transparency and openness with the public, which covers in an effective manner the provision of information on safety-related events and protective actions during emergencies;

-          There is a complete national dose registry system that includes provision for comprehensive information gathering, which allows for thorough cause-effect analyses to be performed.

The IRRS team identified the following areas where the overall performance of the regulatory system could be enhanced:

-          demarcation of the respective roles of state authorities in the area of radiation protection safety, and establishment of formal coordination and cooperation of their regulatory functions;

-          BNRA’s resources and competence for oversight of future facilities and activities;

-          BNRA’s establishment of an integrated management system that contributes to meeting its goals in an efficient manner;

-          BNRA procedures used for the review and assessment process for all facilities and activities;

-          inspection processes, including the development and implementation of planned and systematic inspection programmes that cover all facilities and activities, and coordination among different regulatory organisations.

A final report will be submitted to the Government of Bulgaria in about three months. The BNRA announced to the mission that the report will be made publicly available. 

The IAEA encourages nations to invite a follow-up IRRS mission about two years after the initial mission has been completed.

Background

The team reviewed the legal and regulatory framework for nuclear and radiation safety, addressing all facilities and activities regulated by BNRA, including six nuclear power units, (two in operation and four in decommissioning), fuel cycle facilities, waste management facilities, and radiation sources in industrial and medical facilities.

The mission included site visits to observe inspections and an emergency exercise, and a series of interviews and discussions with BNRA staff to help assess the effectiveness of the regulatory system.

Team members came from Belgium, Brazil, Finland, Germany, Greece, Italy, Japan, Lithuania, Netherlands, Norway, Pakistan, Slovenia, Slovakia, Spain, United Kingdom and United States of America.

Quick Facts

Bulgaria has six nuclear power reactors at the Kozloduy NPP site, two of which are in operation. As of 2012, nuclear contributed 33.6 per cent of the country’s electricity production. Bulgaria has spent fuel storage facilities and waste facilities and there are 1243 license holders for sources of ionizing radiation for industrial, research and medical applications.

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The IAEA has made an offer of good offices to Iran, indicating it is ready to help the country obtain any assistance required to ensure the safety of radioactive sources such as medical equipment that may have been affected by the earthquake. The offer is in line with IAEA’s IEC routine procedures after strong earthquakes that might affect nuclear or radiological safety.

INRA said records showed no fixed high-level radiation sources were installed in the area of the earthquake, which struck near Iran’s border with Pakistan.

Juan Carlos Lentijo, IAEA, Director of Division of Nuclear Fuel Cycle and Waste Technology

 Team members:

Zoran Drace, IAEA, Division of Nuclear Power

Akira Izumo, IAEA, Division of Nuclear Fuel Cycle and Waste Technology

Christian Glorennec, EDF/CIDEN, France

Anton Leschenko, Sosny R&D Company, Russian Federation

Vladan Ljubenov, IAEA, Division of Radiation, Transport and Waste Safety

Vladimir Michal, IAEA, Division of Nuclear Fuel Cycle and Waste Technology

Nesimi Kilic , IAEA, Division of Nuclear Power

Jason Petti, Sandia National Laboratory, United States

Laszlo Sagi, IAEA, Division of Radiation, Transport and Waste Safety

Susanta Kumar Samanta, IAEA, Division of Nuclear Fuel Cycle and Waste Technology

George Stoyanov, Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission)

Greg Webb, IAEA, Division of Public Information

Iran has informed the IEC of the event, reporting that there has been no damage to the Bushehr Nuclear Power Plant and no radioactive release from the installation. 

Based on this information, and the ISSC’s analysis — which considers the earthquake’s magnitude and other seismic parameters, as well as its location — the IEC is not currently seeking additional information from Iran.

This follows a power outage that began at 19:00 local time on 18 March 2013, disabling spent fuel cooling systems at Units 1, 3, and 4 and the Common Spent Fuel Pool.

The NRA said the cooling system at Unit 3 was restored at 22:43 local time on 19 March, and at the Common Spent Fuel Pool at 00:12 on 20 March.

The systems at Unit 1 and Unit 4 were restarted earlier on 19 March.

The operator, Tokyo Electric Power Company, continues to investigate the cause of the power outage.

Two of the systems – at Unit 1 and Unit 4 – were restarted today, and the system that cools the spent fuel pool of Unit 3 is set to be restarted at 20:00 local time today, according to the Authority. Work continues to restart the system that cools the Common Spent Fuel Pool.

The Authority reported that officials are watching the situation and that no abnormal radiation levels have been detected.

The operator, Tokyo Electric Power Company, is investigating the cause of the power outage.

The IAEA’s Incident and Emergency Centre remains in contact with the Japanese Nuclear Regulation Authority, and will provide updates when they become available.

“Two years have passed since disaster struck Japan. The Great East Japan Earthquake and the enormous tsunami of March 11, 2011 devastated large areas of land, caused great loss of human life, and crippled the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant. I was deeply saddened by this tragedy in my homeland. But I was also inspired by the courage and resilience of the Japanese people, including the brave workers at Fukushima Daiichi.

“The International Atomic Energy Agency continues to give priority to supporting Japan’s efforts to recover from the nuclear accident. We are also helping to ensure that the world learns from those events so that we can make nuclear energy as safe as humanly possible.

“Working together, the IAEA’s 159 Member States have already made significant progress in upgrading nuclear safety. Our efforts are guided by the IAEA Action Plan on Nuclear Safety, which was unanimously endorsed by our Member States in September 2011.

“Today, virtually all Member States with nuclear power plants have completed stress tests and taken practical steps to expand and diversify safety measures.

“The IAEA has expanded the expert peer reviews which we offer to our Member States, covering areas such as the operational safety of a country’s nuclear power plants, the effectiveness of its regulatory system, and its emergency preparedness and response arrangements.

“We have thoroughly reviewed the IAEA safety standards and ways to improve them.

“The worst elements of the accident are behind us and we are now in the post-accident phase.

“We must maintain the momentum of constant improvement. I pledge that the IAEA will continue to work vigorously to help Member States to ensure nuclear safety.”

As in my first term, I will be guided by the mandate of the IAEA.  That includes the peaceful use of nuclear technologies for health, for protection of environment, for food production and other issues.  The mandate also of course includes to help to prevent the spread of nuclear weapons.  I will pursue these objectives in a balanced manner.  And in light of the economic difficulties that many countries are facing now, I will do my best to ensure the most effective management.

Challenges are many and huge, but it is a great privilege to serve as Director General of the IAEA.  I like my job, and I enjoy my job, and I’m very happy to do good in the world and to make a difference.

On this occasion, I would very much like to say that I very much value your work to pass the message to the world.  And in my second term too, I will be looking forward to meeting you as frequently as possible.