IAEA, Russian experts to discuss nuclear security

MOSCOW, February 28 – Experts of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and representatives of the Russian nuclear industry will discuss the role of state bodies in ensuring nuclear and radiation safety and security at a conference in Moscow, Konstantin Pulikovsky, head of the Federal Service for Ecological, Technological, and Nuclear Supervision, told journalists on Monday.

The IAEA International Conference on Effective Nuclear Regulatory Systems, “Facing Safety and Security Challenges,” will be held in Moscow February 28-March 2.

"Its main goal is to determine the role of state bodies in regulating nuclear and radiation security," Pulikovsky said.

The conference is held as part of Russia's Presidency in the Group of Eight to assess the state of nuclear and radiation security regulations in the world and exchange opinions on further cooperation in the sphere.

This is the first IAEA conference to discuss "nuclear security issues that state bodies face," Pulikovsky said.

"Traditionally, safety of nuclear power generation has been linked to nuclear and radiation safety and security. This means ensuring physical safety of nuclear fuels and facilities and non-proliferation of critical technologies," he pointed out. "The conference will pay special attention to regulators' rights in the sphere."

The competence of state regulators includes development of federal norms and standards for nuclear energy use, work on federal laws and control over their enforcement. They also monitor activities at nuclear facilities, including through inspectors, license activities in the nuclear sphere and check facilities' safety.

Russia will be represented at the conference by heads of the Federal Agency for Nuclear Power, and representatives of the Defense Ministry and scientific nuclear organizations. The IAEA will delegate heads of nuclear and radiation security regulators. The event will also be attended by representatives of the European Commission, the OECD Nuclear Energy Agency, and the International Civil Aviation Organization. Lawrence Williams, director of the Nuclear Safety Directorate of the British Nuclear Decommissioning Authority, will chair the conference.