Chile Strengthens National Cancer Control, Views Expansion of Radiopharmaceutical Production

Source: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) –

The imPACT team of 13 international experts reviewed cancer prevention, early detection, diagnosis, treatment and palliative care, as well as nuclear and radiation medicine safety. For the first time, the imPACT review also included radiopharmaceutical production.

The assessment underlined Chile’s achievements in cancer control, including universal health coverage, the adoption of latest technologies and a highly trained health workforce sustained by strong academic institutions.

At the same time, the team identified opportunities for improvement, such as strengthening governance and coordination mechanisms for cancer control, reducing waiting times, increasing access in underserved regions, and enhancing national cancer surveillance and information systems.

Chile has a well-established national governance structure for cancer control, which includes the Child and Adolescent Cancer Plan 2023-2028 and the Adult Action Plan for the National Cancer Plan 2022-2027.  

“Chile’s cancer control strategy is rooted in inclusive and participatory processes. The involvement of stakeholders from across ministries, academia and civil society is essential to address the most pressing challenges,” said Bernardo Martorell Guerra, Vice Minister of Healthcare Networks at MINSAL.

The country is seeking to expand cancer control activities, including enhanced infectious disease control, addressing risk behaviours such as tobacco use and expanding access to radiation medicine.

IAEA Reviews Progress of Sri Lanka’s Nuclear Infrastructure Development

Source: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) –

INIR mission team leader John Haddad presents the draft report to Thushara Rathnayake, Chairperson of the Sri Lanka Atomic Energy Board, at the closing meeting on 18 July. (Photo: Ministry of Energy of Sri Lanka)

As Sri Lanka embarks on the development of its nuclear power programme, the country is making progress in establishing the necessary nuclear infrastructure, according to an International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) review mission that recently concluded.

The follow-up Integrated Nuclear Infrastructure Review (INIR) mission, conducted at the request of the Government of Sri Lanka, took place from 14 to 18 July 2025.

The mission team, comprising two international experts from Bulgaria and Türkiye and two IAEA staff,  assessed the progress made to address the recommendations and suggestions of the Phase 1 2022 INIR mission. A Phase 1 INIR mission assesses the readiness of a country to make a knowledgeable commitment to a nuclear power programme using the Phase 1 criteria of the IAEA Milestones Approach and Evaluation Methodology. The 2022 mission made 26 recommendations and 6 suggestions to assist Sri Lanka in advancing its infrastructure development.

In 2010, Sri Lanka’s Cabinet approved the initiation of studies for implementing a nuclear power programme in the country. In 2019, a Nuclear Energy Programme Implementing Organization (NEPIO) was established to coordinate related efforts, which included the Ministry of Energy, the Sri Lanka Atomic Energy Board (SLAEB), the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) and the Sri Lanka Atomic Energy Regulatory Council (SLAERC). In 2024, the government decided on further actions to consider a nuclear power programme.

The INIR team concluded that Sri Lanka has made good progress to address recommendations and suggestions from the Phase 2 INIR mission in 2022. Sri Lanka has already identified five candidate sites for the nuclear power plant, established a management structure to oversee the procurement process for nuclear reactors, drafted a comprehensive nuclear law and included nuclear power in its current long-term energy planning for the period 2025-2044.

Sri Lanka hosted a national workshop on nuclear law in November 2023, as well as an IAEA  Site and External Events Design Review Service (SEED) mission in 2024, which reviewed the country’s selection process to identify candidate sites to build its first nuclear power plant. A SEED follow up mission was also conducted, which took place in July this year.

“Sri Lanka is actively working on addressing the recommendations and suggestions from the main INIR mission in 2022,” said mission team leader John Haddad from IAEA’s Nuclear Infrastructure Development Section. “This indicates the level of commitment of Sri Lanka to conduct the required studies and make a knowledgeable decision regarding the nuclear power programme.”

In the opening ceremony for the INIR Mission, Hon. Eng. Kumara Jayakody, Cabinet Minister of Energy, welcomed the INIR mission as “a significant milestone in Sri Lanka’s journey towards a secure, sustainable and forward-looking energy future as we take decisive steps forward in exploring the role of nuclear power in our national energy mix.”

Nuclear Power is included as an energy source within the CEB Least Cost Long Term Generation and Expansion Plan 2025-2044. According to the plan, accommodating a nuclear power unit above 600 MWe to the Sri Lankan network will be technically challenging due to the network’s condition, projected demand growth, and the generation mix which is expected to be dominated by variable renewable energy sources. The team said that further work is needed related to the finalization of strategies and studies in various areas of infrastructure development such as, among others, management, human resource development, stakeholder involvement, radioactive waste management and industrial involvement.

About Integrated Nuclear Infrastructure Review (INIR) Missions

INIR missions are based on the IAEA Milestones Approach, with its 19 infrastructure issues, three phases (consider, prepare and construct) and three milestones (decide, contract and operate). INIR missions enable IAEA Member State representatives to have in-depth discussions with international experts about experiences and best practices in different countries.

In developing its recommendations, the INIR team considers the comments made by the relevant national organizations. Implementation of any of the team’s recommendations and suggestions is at the discretion of the Member State requesting the mission. The results of the INIR mission are expected to help the Member State develop an action plan to fill any gaps, which in turn will help the development of the national nuclear infrastructure.

INIR follow-up missions assess the implementation of the recommendations and suggestions provided during the main mission.

IAEA Applied Safeguards for 190 States – IAEA Report

Source: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) –

Of the 190 States where the IAEA applied safeguards during 2024, 182 had CSAs in force, of which 137 also had APs in force. Of these 137 States, the IAEA concluded that “all nuclear material remained in peaceful activities” for 75 States. The IAEA drew this conclusion, also known as the ‘broader conclusion’, for the first time for Morocco. For 61 States, the IAEA was only able to conclude that declared nuclear material remained in peaceful activities as evaluations regarding the absence of undeclared nuclear material and activities remained ongoing.

For 31 States with a CSA but no AP in force, the IAEA was able to conclude that declared nuclear material remained in peaceful activities.

As of the end of 2024, three non-nuclear-weapon States party to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) had yet to bring CSAs into force pursuant to Article III of the Treaty. For these States, the IAEA could not draw any safeguards conclusions.

For the three States in which the IAEA implemented safeguards pursuant to item-specific safeguards agreements (India, Israel and Pakistan), the IAEA concluded that “nuclear material, facilities or other items to which safeguards had been applied remained in peaceful activities”.

Safeguards were also implemented in the five nuclear-weapon States party to the NPT under their respective voluntary offer agreements. For these five States (China, France, the Russian Federation, the United Kingdom and the United States of America), the IAEA concluded that “nuclear material in selected facilities to which safeguards had been applied remained in peaceful activities or had been withdrawn from safeguards as provided for in the agreements.”

Science Illuminates the Past: How Accelerators Are Powering Cultural Heritage Preservation in Asia-Pacific and Beyond

Source: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) –

Workshop participants identified novel approaches to complement their analytical capabilities, paving the way for joint research and increased impact.

“This workshop allowed me to learn from other experts in the region about the techniques they use for better understanding objects and supporting analytical information for their preservation,” said Muhayatun Santoso, Senior Nuclear Scientist at Indonesia’s National Research and Innovation Agency. “This will help us better support museums in Indonesia.”

Researchers from outside the region who shared their experience also learned from the work of some of the leading institutions in Southeast Asia. “We have encountered problems with characterizing nanoparticles in our research with ceramics, but at this event I got some ideas on how to do this better and also found institutes to collaborate with,” said Ineke Joosten, a researcher at the Cultural Heritage Agency of the Netherlands, who presented her work on identifying the original colours of prehistoric textiles. “We have also decided to build joint databases of research findings that could be used by the entire community interested in such research.”

The workshop’s outcomes will be highlighted at the 2nd IAEA International Conference on Accelerators for Research and Sustainable Development, which will be held from 22 to26 June 2026 in Vienna, Austria.

This international forum on accelerator applications in research and industry will feature presentations on cutting-edge developments and findings in accelerator technology and share best practices  on how accelerator technologies can drive progress not only in science, but also in sustainability and cultural preservation.

IAEA Launches Youth Infographic Contest on Nuclear Emergency Preparedness and Response

Source: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) –

The IAEA has launched an infographic design contest for young professionals aged 18 to 35 to raise awareness about emergency preparedness and response  in nuclear and radiological contexts.

Submissions should be compelling, original infographics inspired by the IAEA’s emergency preparedness and response (EPR) publications. Participating youth are encouraged to turn complex EPR concepts into engaging visuals to enhance public understanding and policy dialogue on EPR. Submissions will be judged on visual clarity, technical accuracy, originality, relevance to the conference themes, and overall impact.

“Explore IAEA’s EPR publications, which are filled with essential guidance for emergency professionals and the public. Unleash your creativity, win prizes, and gain recognition by joining our Youth Infographic Contest for EPR2025,” advised Carlos Torres Vidal, Director of the IAEA’s Incident and Emergency Centre and Scientific Secretary of the Conference, to young people seeking to enter the contest.

“We want to see how this knowledge can be brought to life—taken off the page and transformed into clear, accessible visuals that help people understand the principles of emergency preparedness and response. This supports the aim of the EPR2025 conference: to ensure that emergency preparedness is ready to meet the evolving challenges of the future,” he added.

Tritium Level Far Below Japan’s Operational Limit in 13th Batch of ALPS-Treated Water, IAEA Confirms

Source: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) –

Independent sampling and analysis conducted by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) have confirmed that the tritium concentration in the 13th batch of ALPS-treated water, which Tokyo Electric Power Company (TEPCO) began discharging today from the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station (FDNPS), is far below Japan’s operational limit.

As part of its ongoing safety review, the IAEA collected and analyzed samples onsite of the diluted water that was being prepared for discharge as part of this latest batch. The results confirmed that the tritium concentration is far below the operational limit of 1,500 becquerels per litre and is in line with international safety standards.

Japan is releasing the ALPS-treated water in a series of batches over the next decades, following the start of the discharge in August 2023. The treated water is diluted with seawater prior to discharge. Of the 93.500 cubic meters of water already released in the first 12 batches, the IAEA confirmed that the tritium concentrations were far below the international safety standards and operational limits.

In a comprehensive report issued on 4 July 2023 before the discharge began, the IAEA’s safety review found that Japan’s plan for handling the treated water was consistent with international safety standards and that the release as planned would have a negligible radiological impact to people and the environment.

Reports on sampling, independent analysis, data evaluation, as well as timeline, are available on the IAEA website.

Marking a Milestone: 20th Anniversary of the Amendment to the Convention on Physical Protection of Nuclear Material

Source: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) –

Twenty years ago, the adoption of the Amendment to the Convention on the Physical Protection of Nuclear Material (A/CPPNM) marked the start of a new era in international efforts to counter the risk of nuclear security threats.

The Convention and its Amendment are the only internationally legally binding undertakings in the area of physical protection of nuclear material and of nuclear facilities used for peaceful purposes. They provide a robust international legal framework as a foundation for effective nuclear security.

On the occasion of the anniversary, IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi emphasized in his message that “it is in everyone’s interest that all States join and implement both. We need to do everything possible against current and emerging threats, and we need to lay a solid foundation for the many communities embracing reliable, low carbon nuclear energy in more and more countries.”

The Amendment came into force in May 2016 and extended the scope of the original treaty to cover physical protection of nuclear facilities and nuclear material used for peaceful purposes in domestic use, storage and transport. It also further criminalizes offences related to illicit trafficking and sabotage of nuclear material or nuclear facilities, and provides for strengthened international cooperation in light of the expanded scope, such as assistance and information sharing in the event of sabotage.

The first Conference of the Parties to the Amendment to the Convention on the Physical Protection of Nuclear Materials was held at the IAEA’s headquarters in Vienna, Austria from 28 March to 1 April 2022. The second such Conference is scheduled to be held in Vienna in April 2027.

“As we prepare for the second conference on the Amendment to the CPPNM, the IAEA will continue its support. We will do this through new partnerships with key decision makers and stakeholders, new initiatives and tailored legislative and technical assistance,” Grossi said.

The CPPNM currently has 165 Parties, of which 138 have also joined the Amendment. Most recently, Mongolia became the latest Party to the Amendment.

Mongolia’s ratification of the A/CPPNM in April 2025 marked a strategic step in strengthening the national nuclear security framework and legal infrastructure. “This development reaffirms Mongolia’s strong commitment to the peaceful use of nuclear technology and to preventing nuclear and radiological threats both nationally and regionally. By joining the Amendment, Mongolia has expanded its obligations to protect nuclear material not only during international transport but also in domestic use and at nuclear facilities, in line with international standards,” said Gerelmaa Gombosuren, Acting Head of the Foreign Affairs Division in Mongolia’s Nuclear Energy Commission.

“The country’s adherence was made possible through close cooperation with the IAEA, whose legal guidance, technical assistance, and capacity-building support have significantly enhanced our institutional preparedness. We remain committed to the universalization and effective implementation of the A/CPPNM and to contributing to global nuclear security efforts,” she added.

Update 303 – IAEA Director General Statement on Situation in Ukraine

Source: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) –

The IAEA team at Ukraine’s Zaporizhzhya Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP) reported hearing hundreds of rounds of small arms fire last night, the latest sign of military activity potentially threatening nuclear safety and security, Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi said today.

The large number of shots – repeatedly fired for about an hour from 10pm local time – was unusual, the team members reported.  

Conducting a site walkdown this morning, they saw numerous small calibre casings lying scattered on the ground near reactor units 5 and 6. There was no sign of broken windows or other physical damage.

The IAEA team at the ZNPP is seeking further information about the incident.

“Such military activity at or near a major nuclear power plant is clearly unacceptable,” Director General Grossi said.  

Saturday evening’s shooting came after a series of purported attacks and other incidents involving drones near the ZNPP and other nuclear facilities in Ukraine in recent months, including a report of a strike a few days ago in the city of Enerhodar, where most ZNPP staff live.  

Director General Grossi reiterated his deep concern about the apparent increased use of drones near nuclear power plants since early this year, saying such weaponry posed a clear risk to nuclear safety and security.

Any drone strike on a nuclear facility would violate the Seven Indispensable Pillars for nuclear safety and security during an armed conflict as well as the Five Principles to help ensure nuclear safety and security at the ZNPP, outlined by the Director General in March 2022 and May 2023, respectively.  

“We are seeing a clear escalation in drone strikes during this war, also affecting Ukraine’s nuclear power plants and potentially putting them in further danger. As I have repeatedly stated, any military attack on a nuclear site – with or without drones – jeopardizes nuclear safety and must stop immediately,” Director General Grossi said.

Update 302 – IAEA Director General Statement on Situation in Ukraine

Source: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) –

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has been informed about a purported drone attack on the city hall in Enerhodar, where most staff of Ukraine’s Zaporizhzhya Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP) live, Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi said.

During a visit to Enerhodar today, the IAEA team members based at the ZNPP were taken to the city hall and could see some damage at the top of the building, which they were told was caused by a drone strike at around 1am on Friday morning. There were no reports of casualties. Enerhodar is located about 5 km from the ZNPP.

If confirmed, it would be the latest in a series of drone incidents near the ZNPP and other nuclear facilities in Ukraine, further endangering nuclear safety during the conflict.

“As drone attacks have become increasingly common during the war, so have the risks they pose to the safety and security of Ukraine’s nuclear power plants. I’m deeply concerned about the increased frequency of such incidents. In the case of Enerhodar, they also add to the psychological stress for plant staff, which can also impact nuclear safety and security,” Director General Grossi said.  

Less than two weeks ago, the IAEA team at the ZNPP was informed of a drone attack that reportedly damaged several vehicles near the site’s cooling pond.

In February, a drone severely damaged the New Safe Confinement (NSC) at the Chornobyl plant in northern Ukraine, built to prevent any radioactive release from the reactor unit 4 destroyed in the 1986 accident and to protect it from external hazards.

Ukraine’s operating nuclear power plants (NPPs) – Khmelnytskyy, Rivne and South Ukraine – also regularly report of drones being detected near the respective sites.

IAEA Ramps Up Commitment to Advance Development and Cancer Care Across Africa

Source: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) –

Three Years of Rays of Hope

The IAEA’s Rays of Hope initiative aims to widen access to life-saving cancer care where it is needed most; by helping low- and middle-income countries establish or expand medical imaging, radiotherapy and nuclear medicine services. Since its launch in 2022, more than 90 countries have requested support under the initiative.  

Malawi has already built it’s first-ever public radiotherapy centre (see below), while Chad, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Djibouti and Lesotho are also in the process of establishing radiotherapy services. Linear accelerators for radiotherapy have been delivered to Kenya, Malawi, Niger and Paraguay. More than 80 cancer care professionals have been trained around the world, and 12 Rays of Hope Anchor Centres have been set up. 

The Director General’s trip began in Addis Ababa at the Rays of Hope Forum, a gathering of countries taking stock of achievements made and planning vital next steps. 

During the forum, the IAEA and St Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital also entered a significant new partnership to address inequality in global childhood cancer care. 

Read more about the Rays of Hope Forum here.

While in Ethiopia the Director General met with Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali to talk health and energy. 

Mr Grossi joined Malawi’s President Lazarus Chakwera and Health Minister Khumbize Kandodo Chiponda at Kamuzu Central Hospital in Lilongwe to open the country’s first public radiotherapy centre. 

“This is a major milestone under Rays of Hope, which supported the centre with life-saving equipment,” said the Director General.

During his ensuing visit to Kenya, the Director General met with Health Cabinet Secretary Hon. Aden Duale and other key members of the government. They exchanged views on support received so far and the importance of facilitating further training for Kenyans working in cancer care.

Mr Grossi visited Monrovia, Liberia, marking the first time an IAEA Director General has ever been to the West African country.  

“Today, with Rays of Hope support, we celebrated the groundbreaking of the country’s only radiotherapy facility. We are helping establish it, starting with a mammography unit and training to bring life-saving care to those who need it most. More support will soon be on the way,” said the Director General.  

Mr Grossi met with President Joseph Nyumah Boakai, Acting Foreign Minister Cllr. Deweh Grey, Health Minister Louise Kpoto, and several other ministers at the Environmental Protection Agency.  

Beyond cancer care, the IAEA is also strengthening food security through Atoms4Food, reinforcing radiation safety, supporting sustainable water management, as well as Liberia’s national energy strategy.  

As a marine country, Liberia faces ocean acidification and plastic pollution. “Nuclear science, including support through our NUTEC Plastics, can help protect its coasts and communities,” said the Director General. “There is much more we can do together. The IAEA is here, ready to continue supporting Liberia’s development in all its aspects.” 

During the week, the Director General also travelled to Rwanda to attend the Nuclear Energy Innovation Summit for Africa (#NEISA2025) in Kigali. 

At the summit, the Director General also met with both Rwanda and Niger’s Prime Ministers to talk about support for smart agriculture and water management via Atoms4Food.