Category: IAEA

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Powering Change: A Nuclear Engineer’s Journey from Brazil to the IAEA

Source: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) –

Sara Kouchehbagh, IAEA Department of Nuclear Energy

Growing up in São Gonçalo, on the outskirts of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; a town that faced frequent power outages, Dandara Araujo Da Silva decided at an early age that she wanted to work in the energy sector. Now an Associate Nuclear Engineer at the IAEA’s Department of Nuclear Energy, she works on activities related to small modular reactors (SMRs) and microreactors and studies different approaches to reactivity control as well as SMR instrumentation and control systems. 

“I have always seen energy as a human necessity. Many regions of the world still lack access to reliable electricity, including my hometown, and finding clean, stable energy sources has become crucial. The Global South is among the most affected regions and relying solely on solar or wind is insufficient,” she says.  

“I chose nuclear engineering because I saw the potential of nuclear energy to provide a resilient, large scale, and low carbon power source to help meet growing electricity demand around the world,” she adds. 

Dandara’s journey to the IAEA is a story of determination and hard work. Despite financial challenges, with the support of her parents, she enrolled in a technical high school in Niterói, Brazil, where she dedicated herself fully—spending hours at her local public library reading university-level essays on calculus, physics, and more.  

Her commitment paid off when she was accepted to study nuclear engineering at Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, one of Brazil’s leading universities. To support herself, Dandara worked on campus as a calculus teaching assistant, commuting four hours a day.  

Dandara received the Junior Working Women for the Fem’Energia Award, which promotes women’s careers in the nuclear industry in Europe.  (Photo: WiN France).

In 2016, she applied to study abroad in France, a country with one of the highest shares of nuclear in its electricity mix and the third-largest producer of nuclear power in the world with 57 operating reactors. There was only one obstacle, she did not speak French. 

After months of self-study, she met the language requirements to pursue a master’s degree in mechanical systems engineering at the Institut National des Sciences Appliquées de Toulouse, one of the leading engineering universities in France. 

Systems engineering, a methodology she felt had been missing from her earlier studies, gave her a broader view and understanding complex systems, their interfaces and lifecycle. It also helped her better understand issues around industrialization, commercialization, and long‑term deployment at an early project stage. 

“I was fascinated by how nuclear engineering blends multiple disciplines, including physics, chemistry, geology, mathematics, biology, and even sociology and the humanities,” she reflects.  

During her studies, she was offered a position as a nuclear engineer at Framatome, a French nuclear reactor company with over 65 years of experience designing, building, and maintaining nuclear power plants around the world. 

From there on, she made the career transition to the IAEA.

Dandara with colleagues at the IAEA’s first International Conference on Stakeholder Engagement for Nuclear Power Programmes, held in May 2025 in Vienna, Austria.

When asked what she considers her biggest personal achievement, Dandara says it was finding the courage to redefine her life entirely.  Beyond moving to different countries to build a career, she allowed herself the freedom to imagine a future that once felt unattainable and worked every day to make that dream a reality.  

“I learned to be a strong woman from my mother and grandmothers, women who refused to accept the limited place society assigned them. There were times I struggled with loneliness, questioned my own abilities, and doubted myself. But if I listened to those doubts, I wouldn’t be here.”  

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IAEA to Host Tenth Review Meeting of the Convention on Nuclear Safety

Source: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) –

Vienna, Austria

6/2026

The Tenth Review Meeting of the Contracting Parties to the Convention on Nuclear Safety (CNS) will be held at the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) from 13 to 24 April 2026. 

IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi will address the Opening Plenary session on 13 April 2026 at 09:00 CEST together with Faizan Mansoor, President of the Tenth Review Meeting.   

In force since 1996, the CNS is the key international legally binding instrument for nuclear safety that currently has 98 Contracting Parties. It commits its Contracting Parties operating land-based civil nuclear power plants to maintain a high level of safety by establishing fundamental safety principles to which States must adhere. At Review Meetings held every three years, the Contracting Parties present and discuss their National Reports on the implementation of obligations under the Convention. The last Review Meeting was held in 2023. 

The agenda for the two-week meeting includes discussions on the major common issues related to the safety of operating nuclear power plants. A topical session on strengthening national regulatory capabilities – taking into account new and innovative technologies and effective nuclear knowledge management -will be held for the CNS Contracting Parties will share their relevant experiences and lessons learned. 

Venue 

The conference will take place in Boardroom B/M1 in the M-Building of the Vienna International Centre (VIC).

Press Opportunities 

Journalists are invited to attend the Opening Plenary session – starting at 09:00 CEST on 13 April 2026 – and the part of the closing session where the Contracting Parties will adopt a Summary Report, currently foreseen to be held in the afternoon of 24 April 2026. For the exact timing of the closing session, please contact press@iaea.org. 

Both sessions will be streamed live and will take place in Boardroom B/M1 in M Building of the VIC. Photos will also be made available at the IAEA Flickr page. 

Accreditation 

All journalists are requested to inform the IAEA Press Office of their plans to attend by 10 April 2026, 14:00 CEST at press@iaea.org. Journalists with permanent credentials to the VIC need no additional accreditation. Journalists, who do not yet have permanent accreditation can request it at UNIS Vienna. 

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Six Ways the IAEA Supports Global Health Through Nuclear Science

Source: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) –

Emma Midgley, IAEA Office of Public Information and Communication

Saliva sampling exercise with a child for body composition assessment. (Photo: V. Owino/IAEA)

The IAEA advances public health around the world by helping countries apply nuclear techniques to diagnose, treat, and prevent diseases. From cancer therapy to heart disease, nutrition and zoonotic disease surveillance, here are six key areas where the IAEA makes a difference to global health.

(Photo: IAEA)

1. Expanding Access to Radiotherapy Services Worldwide

More than 100 countries have joined the IAEA’s Rays of Hope: Cancer Care for All initiative, which works with governments, international financial institutions and the private sector to help increase radiotherapy access in low- and middle- income countries. Radiotherapy is an essential component of cancer treatment.

Under the initiative: more than 90 million euros in extrabudgetary funds has been raised to support cancer care in low- and middle- income countries, ten linear accelerators and 55 mammography machines have been procured, and 20 Anchor Centres established across four regions.

Rays of Hope Anchor Centres are leading cancer institutions recognized for excellence in clinical care, quality management, training, research and innovation. This global network has provided training to more than 700 professionals in the use of radiation medicine, expanding access to safe, high-quality cancer care.

The IAEA also works with the World Health Organization (WHO) and the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) to conduct imPACT reviews – comprehensive assessments of a country’s cancer control capacities and needs. ImPACT Review recommendations help to inform technical cooperation projects, national cancer control plans and strategic funding documents.

(Photo: IAEA)

2. Strengthening Nuclear Medicine for Better Diagnostics and Treatment

Nuclear medicine involves the administration into the body of radiopharmaceuticals, which are compounds containing small amounts of radioactive material. These agents enable diagnosis and treatment of a wide range of diseases, including early detection of cancer, significantly improving treatment outcomes and reducing mortality. These approaches also play a key role in identifying cardiovascular diseases and chronic conditions affecting the thyroid, brain and bones.

The IAEA supports countries in setting up nuclear medicine and radiology departments, providing technical expertise and experience to support countries in realizing safe, effective and high-quality medical imaging and targeted treatment for all.

3. Improving Precision Through Dosimetry and Quality Assurance

Medical X-rays and CT scans use ionizing radiation to generate images from inside the body, enabling doctors to see broken bones or cancer tumours. Radiation therapy uses high doses of radiation to treat cancer, targeting tumours effectively while limiting the dose to nearby healthy organs and tissues.

The IAEA’s Dosimetry Laboratory helps improve patient safety and effectiveness in radiotherapy and medical imaging through two services: calibration and audit services. Calibration ensures that medical facilities can measure radiotherapy doses accurately. Audits verify that doses and calculated and delivered accurately. 

The IAEA publishes guidance on quality assurance and dosimetry for medical physicists in radiation therapy, nuclear medicine, diagnostic radiology and radiation metrologists. It also works with partners to provide regional and national training courses and specialized workshops for medical physicists and radiation metrologists on topics related to quality assurance and dosimetry.

(Photo: IAEA)

4. Supporting Zoonotic Disease Detection and Control

Zoonotic diseases — pathogens that jump from animals to humans — represent one of the greatest threats to modern society. They account for 60% of known infectious diseases and 75% of all emerging ones.

These diseases affect human health, causing acute illness and long-term complications, resulting in an estimated 2.6 billion cases and 2.7 million deaths annually.

The IAEA’s Zoonotic Disease Integrated Action (ZODIAC) initiative was established to help prevent pandemics caused by pathogens — bacteria, parasites, fungi, or viruses — that originate in animals and can be transmitted to humans. By leveraging nuclear and nuclear-derived technologies, ZODIAC strengthens countries’ preparedness and capabilities to rapidly detect, identify, and respond to infectious disease outbreaks. Once an outbreak is detected and characterized, then quick and data-driven responses can be taken. 

5. Enhancing Health Through Nutrition Science

The world is facing a double burden of malnutrition, with undernutrition and obesity driving rising rates of non‑communicable diseases. By developing and transferring nuclear and related techniques, the IAEA advances global health by supporting the use of nutrition science to generate precise data on energy expenditure, body composition, breastfeeding practices, nutrient absorption, and skeletal health. 

The IAEA also supports clinicians and public health professionals in using nuclear and related techniques to assess nutritional status and design effective actions to prevent and manage all forms of malnutrition across the life course.

These techniques include stable isotope methods and imaging. The IAEA also compiles and hosts global databases on energy expenditure, human milk intake and body composition. These have informed publications that have for example dispelled longstanding beliefs about energy metabolism.

6. Building Global Knowledge Through the Human Health Programme

Human Health programme supports all IAEA activities in human health. 

The IAEA’s Human Health Series and Human Health Reports provide training materials, research findings, and technical guidance on radiation  therapy, radiology and nuclear medicine, quality assurance and dosimetry, medical physics, and nutrition. These publications support health professionals in improving diagnostics, therapy, and health outcomes worldwide. 

From radiotherapy and diagnostic imaging to radiopharmaceuticals, nutrition, and zoonotic disease control, the IAEA helps countries use nuclear science and technology to tackle global health challenges. By knowledge transfer, building capacity, and providing essential calibration and audit services, the Agency supports countries in delivering safer, more effective, and more accessible radiation medicine and public health services.

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Nuclear Science Enhances Malawi’s Food Safety and Export Systems

Source: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) –

Appreciated internationally for its rich, smooth and sweet flavour, tea is one of Malawi’s top exports. Ensuring its competitiveness requires rigorous safety-related testing. 

Milk, which in Malawi is predominantly produced by small-scale farmers, is vulnerable to microbiological and chemical hazards, posing health risks to consumers. 

The MBS laboratory has begun applying techniques such as radioreceptor assays using carbon-14 and tritium tracers to rapidly and cost-effectively detect residues of chemicals used in animal production that may be present in milk and other foods. The lab now routinely tests milk for veterinary drug residues, supporting both consumer safety and improved livestock management by advising producers on appropriate agrochemical use in food production.

The laboratory is also using gamma spectrometry to precisely measure trace levels of radionuclides in food and environmental samples. These nuclear and other complementary techniques are now integrated into Malawi’s routine food certification processes, helping ensure that food products entering and leaving the country can comply with safety standards and protect public health.

“We are grateful for the support provided, which has been transformative, closing critical gaps in Malawi’s ability to monitor both radiological and chemical hazards in food and to better safeguard local and international consumers,” said Stephen Massah Kuyeli, MBS Director of Testing Services. 

“The progress achieved in Malawi reflects our shared commitment to strengthening national capabilities, not simply solving immediate challenges,” said Dongxin Feng, Director of the Joint FAO/IAEA Centre. “Through training, technical analytical resources and knowledge transfer, we support countries in building laboratories that can independently monitor food products to ensure that food safety regulations are met and international standards are upheld.”

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Tritium Level Far Below Japan’s Operational Limit in 19th Batch of ALPS Treated Water, IAEA Confirms

Source: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) –

The tritium concentration of the 19th batch of Advanced Liquid Processing System (ALPS)‑treated water, which the Tokyo Electric Power Company (TEPCO) began discharging today from the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station (FDNPS), is far below Japan’s operational limit and consistent with international safety standards, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) confirmed today. 

As part of its ongoing safety assessment, the IAEA conducted independent sampling of the latest batch prior to its release via a one‑kilometre tunnel into the ocean. On‑site analysis confirmed that the tritium concentration is far below Japan’s operational limit of 1,500 becquerels per litre and in line with international safety standards. 

Japan began releasing ALPS‑treated water in batches in August 2023, and since then roughly 140,500 cubic meters have been discharged. The IAEA has confirmed that the tritium levels in all first 18 batches were far below the operational limits set by Japan.

Background

In its comprehensive report issued in July 2023, the IAEA concluded that Japan’s approach to the discharge of ALPS‑treated water is consistent with relevant international safety standards and that the release, as planned and assessed, would have a negligible radiological impact on people and the environment. The IAEA continues to maintain a presence at the site and to carry out ongoing monitoring and verification activities throughout the discharge process. 

Further information, including results of independent sampling and analysis, as well as timelines and technical reports, is available on the IAEA website.

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How Nuclear Science Helps Tackle Food Waste

Source: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) –

Food waste is a growing global challenge. Every year, about 1 billion tonnes of edible food, nearly one-fifth of what reaches consumers, is wasted. This has significant impacts on both people and the environment.

Monika Shifotoka, IAEA Office of Public Information and Communication

Low‑quality and damaged mandarins removed during export fruit screening at a packing house in Opuzen, Croatia. (Photo: R. Cardoso/IAEA)

According to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 13.2 per cent of food is lost before it reaches retail, representing an estimated USD 400 billion in losses. A further 19 per cent is wasted at retail and consumer levels. This represents an enormous waste of resources and contributes to greenhouse gas emissions, environmental pollution and biodiversity loss.

The IAEA through the Joint FAO/IAEA Centre of Nuclear Techniques in Food and Agriculture, supports countries with science-based solutions to reduce food loss and waste.

Here are five ways nuclear science is helping tackle food waste and support a zero‑waste future:

1. Extending Shelf Life Through Food Irradiation

Food irradiation is an innovative, safe and non-invasive technique that uses radiation such as X-rays, gamma rays or electron beam sources to keep food fresh and safe for longer.

It works by reducing microorganisms and pests that cause spoilage, significantly extending the shelf life of food products. For example, irradiation can help fresh strawberries stored in a refrigerator last up to seven days longer.

By extending the shelf life of fruits, vegetables, grains and spices, this technique reduces losses during storage and transport and helps ensure that more food reaches consumers instead of being discarded.

2. Strengthening Food Safety with Nuclear-Based Techniques

Food contaminated with pathogens or toxins, identified through laboratory testing within market or border controls, is often withdrawn or rejected for import and then it is discarded. Nuclear and nuclear‑derived methods such as X ray fluorescence, neutron activation, stable isotope  based techniques  and advanced laboratory diagnostics help countries detect contaminants quickly and accurately.

These techniques strengthen national food safety systems, reduce unnecessary disposal of food and prevent food that is safe from being discarded due to uncertainty.

Stable isotopes based techniques applied to measure pesticides residues in tomatoes sample (Photo: IAEA)

3. Supporting Climate-Resilient Farming to Reduce Losses

Nuclear techniques can be used to accelerate the natural process of plant breeding, enabling the development of crop varieties that are more resilient to climate stress, pests and diseases. 

The IAEA, through the Joint FAO/IAEA Centre supports mutation breeding and associated biotechnologies to develop crops that are more resistant to disease, more tolerant to climate stress (drought, salinity) and higher yielding. This means fewer crops are lost in the field. 

The IAEA, through the Joint FAO/IAEA Centre of Nuclear Techniques in Food and Agriculture supported Mauritian scientists in developing a black‑rot‑resistant cauliflower variety using radiation‑induced plant breeding to reduce pesticide use and strengthen food security in Mauritius.  (Photo: FAREI).

4. Improving Pest Control with the Sterile Insect Technique (SIT)

Pests destroy millions of tonnes of crops annually. The sterile insect technique is a method that uses ionizing radiation to sterilize large numbers of insects reared in mass-rearing facilities, which are then released over infested areas to mate with the wild pest population. As these sterilized insects are incapable of producing any offspring, the insect population declines over time.  

The SIT has helped countries such as the Dominican Republic eradicate insect pest  reduce major agricultural pests, protecting crops and supporting access to export markets. 

Apple with Mediterranean fruit fly larvae causing the total loss of the commercial value of the commodity (Photo: R. Cardoso-Pereira/FAO-IAEA)

5. Facilitating Safe and Efficient Trade

Food often spoils while waiting for inspection and results for conformity with regulations and guidelines.

Nuclear and isotopic techniques help verify food authenticity, detect adulteration, and verify the labelling information to ensure compliance with international standards. Faster, trusted certification means fewer delays and less food wasted due to spoilage in transit.

The IAEA and FAO assist countries in combating food fraud, detecting harmful contaminants and ensuring the authenticity and quality of food products.

Through the Joint FAO/IAEA Centre, both organizations continue to support food safety and quality and forge partnerships under the Atoms4Food initiative, which aims to leverage innovative nuclear techniques to enhance agricultural productivity, reduce food losses and waste, ensure food security and improve nutrition.

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IAEA Mission Recognizes Belgium’s Continued Commitment to Strengthen Nuclear and Radiation Safety

Source: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) –

IAEA experts, staff and counterparts during the Integrated Regulatory Review Service follow-up mission in Belgium. (Photo: FANC)

An International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) team of experts has concluded a five-day review of Belgium’s regulatory framework for nuclear and radiation safety, as well as the interface between safety and nuclear security.

The Integrated Regulatory Review Service (IRRS) follow-up mission, conducted at Belgium’s request from 23 to 27 March, reviewed the country’s progress in addressing the recommendations and suggestions made by the initial IRRS mission in 2023. The mission was hosted by the Federal Agency for Nuclear Control (FANC) and Bel V, the Technical Safety Organisation of the Belgian nuclear safety authority and subsidiary of FANC, that together form Belgium’s regulatory body. 

Using IAEA safety standards and international good practices, IRRS missions are designed to strengthen the effectiveness of the national regulatory infrastructure while recognizing the responsibility of each country for nuclear and radiation safety.

Overall, the IRRS team concluded that staff from the regulatory body showed a strong commitment and professionalism in carrying out their mandate to ensure nuclear and radiation safety in Belgium. The Government and the regulatory body addressed the recommendations and suggestions made by the 2023 mission in a systematic manner and made significant improvements since the initial mission. Of the 17 recommendations and 15 suggestions issued in 2023, the team found that 8 recommendations and 14 suggestions have now been successfully addressed and closed.

Belgium currently operates two nuclear power reactors at two nuclear sites, Doel and Tihange, that provide 34% of the country’s electricity production. Five reactors are in permanent shutdown. In 2003, the Government had decided to phase out nuclear power by 2025. However, this phase-out law was abrogated in 2025, allowing the operation extension until 2035 of Doel 4 and Tihange 3, and opening the path to possible new build and further lifetime extension. Other nuclear installations include research reactors, a radioactive waste treatment facility and an isotope production facility. In addition, medical and industrial applications of radioactive sources are widely used. 

The IRRS team, comprising six international experts from Canada, Hungary, Morocco, Portugal, South Africa and the United Kingdom, as well as three IAEA staff members, conducted interviews and discussions with FANC and Bel V, and reviewed documents and other related information. 

The IRRS team noted achievements in FANC’s human resource plan and competence management, including a systematic approach to training for all staff.

The IRRS team identified the following areas of good performance:

  • To demonstrate the value of safety culture, FANC launched a project delivering small but effective adjustments focusing on leadership behaviour, knowledge management and internal cooperation and dialogue that visibly improved staff’s daily work and showed how safety culture enhancements lead to better organizational performance;
  • FANC ensures competent, formally appointed inspectors through structured training and a transparent system for qualification and status tracking, including publication in the Belgian official gazette, making the list of credited inspectors official and available to all citizens; and
  • FANC collaborated with the Belgian ministry for employment to address the initial mission’s findings on occupational safety. FANC’s efforts secured ministerial support and led to planned coordinated actions to ensure the protection of pregnant and breastfeeding workers.

“Belgium’s regulatory body has made notable and well‑structured progress since the previous IRRS mission, demonstrating professionalism, transparency and a clear dedication to safety,” said IRRS team leader Ramzi Jammal, Executive Vice President and Chief Regulatory Operations Officer of the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission. “The IRRS team welcomed the constructive engagement from all counterparts and recognizes the substantial efforts undertaken to address the earlier recommendations.”

“This follow-up IRRS mission came at a pivotal moment for Belgium’s nuclear sector,” said Pascale Absil, Director-General of FANC. “As our national policy evolves, the expectations placed on the regulatory system also grow. We are adapting proactively to these new realities, strengthening our processes and capabilities to ensure that nuclear safety, as well as the protection of the public and the environment remain at the core of our work. The opportunity to exchange with colleagues from other regulatory authorities during this mission has been extremely valuable — their experience and good practices help us refine our own approach and reinforce our continuous improvement efforts.” 

The final mission report will be provided to the Government in about three months.

IAEA Safety Standards

The IAEA Safety Standards provide a robust framework of fundamental principles, requirements and guidance to ensure safety. They reflect an international consensus and serve as a global reference for protecting people and the environment from the harmful effects of ionizing radiation.

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Update 345 – IAEA Director General Statement on Situation in Ukraine

Source: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) –

Zaporizhzhya Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP) lost connection to its main off-site power line on Tuesday, leaving it reliant on a single backup power line, as IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi initiated discussions with the Russian Federation and Ukraine to secure a local ceasefire for urgent repairs.

The ZNPP’s Dniprovska 750 kV power line was disconnected at 11:55 on Tuesday following reports of damage to the line. The ZNPP and Ukrainian grid dispatcher are communicating with the IAEA regarding plans to carry out repairs. The IAEA team at the plant continues to closely monitor the situation.

Although the timing for the necessary repairs remains uncertain, Director General Grossi confirmed that the IAEA has proposed a ceasefire window to both parties, allowing for safe assessment and restoration of the damaged infrastructure. 

The IAEA has previously brokered five temporary ceasefire arrangements, which enabled six separate repairs to power lines connected to the ZNPP.

The ZNPP is still connected to off-site power via its sole backup power line – the 330kV Ferosplavna-1 line, reconnected on 5 March, following repairs carried out under the protection of the fifth local ceasefire negotiated by the IAEA. 

Elsewhere in Ukraine, the IAEA team at the Khmelnitsky Nuclear Power Plant reported that they had to shelter for several hours on Tuesday afternoon.

Also this week, as part of the IAEA’s ongoing comprehensive programme of assistance to Ukraine in nuclear safety and security, one gas chromatograph with high resolution magnetic spectrometry was delivered to the State Scientific Research Institute of Laboratory Diagnostics and Veterinary and Sanitary Expertise in Kyiv. A second gas chromatograph and a liquid chromatograph, both with double mass spectrometric detectors, were also delivered to the Lviv Regional State Laboratory of State Service of Ukraine on Food Safety and Consumer Protection. The deliveries were made possible with funds from Japan. 

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IAEA Releases Updated Regulations for Safe Transport of Radioactive Material

Source: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) –

Nearly 300 proposals for changes to the 2018 edition were received from member countries worldwide and were reviewed by an international panel of experts before the revised edition was approved by the IAEA for publication. 

“This collaborative process is fundamental, ensuring that the regulations reflect the collective expertise and broad international consensus of the global transport community,” said Mansoux.

The revised regulations reflect current scientific knowledge and operational experience while providing clear and practical requirements for safe transport. 

Among the key changes are revised A1 and A2 values, which determine packaging regulations of radioactive material such as portable moisture density gauges with sealed sources of Caesium-137 and Americium-241 and radiopharmaceuticals that are used in diagnostic and therapeutic applications such as Technetium-99m and Iodine-131. 

These updates also reflect the latest radiological data, dose coefficients, and modelling techniques. Additional enhancements include deadlines for phasing out packages designed under outdated standards and new provisions that address ageing effects in the design of packages for nuclear and radioactive material. These measures strengthen existing provisions for package durability, thereby ensuring long-term safety.

The revised safety regulations will be incorporated into international modal regulations for maritime transport and transport by air, and into regional modal regulations, such as those that apply to transport by road, rail and inland waterways. Countries also incorporate these regulations into their national regulations, creating a strong, harmonized global framework for transport safety. 

“Türkiye’s legislation on the safe transport of radioactive material aligns directly with IAEA Transport Regulations. This ensures a robust regulatory framework that minimizes radiation risks, enables seamless cross border shipments including fresh fuel delivery to Akkuyu Nuclear Power Plant and exports of medical radioisotopes,” said Ibrahim Halil Dere, Vice President of Türkiye’s Nuclear Regulatory Authority. “The latest regulations will further boost clarity, harmonization, and the safe global movement of radioactive material.”

The IAEA supports member countries in applying the transport safety regulations through online and instructor-led training, advisory services and expert missions. This helps establish clear transport protocols that support competent authorities to build sustainable capacity, which helps to ensure that radioactive material is transported under an internationally aligned safety system. 

The IAEA also publishes transport security guidance, which helps to protect against malicious acts during transport. The IAEA safety standards on transport and the nuclear security guidance enable countries to implement a coherent approach to transport oversight for the protection of people and the environment against harmful effects of ionizing radiation. 

For more information on the conference, see here IAEA event page. 

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How do we keep radioactive material safe and secure during transport?

Source: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) –

Every year, millions of shipments of nuclear and radioactive material move across the globe — by sea, rail, road, and air. How are they protected? 

Used in medicine, research, and clean energy, these materials are essential — and their safe and secure transport is a global priority. (Footage: IAEA/NTS)