A delegation from the Spanish Nuclear Safety Council (CSN) is participating in the 66th General Conference of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), which is being held in Vienna from September 26 to 30 and which brings together representatives of member states, international and national organizations to discuss the current situation of the sector and its most immediate challenges.

During the inauguration, the IAEA Director General, Rafael Grossi, reported on the work and achievements of the Agency during the last year. Grossi began his speech by highlighting the importance of the peaceful use of nuclear energy and the challenges that the IAEA is facing, such as the war in Ukraine, the current energy crisis, the Covid-19 pandemic, the climate crisis or the food security. In addition, he wanted to underline his concern about the situation at the Zaporizhia nuclear power plant and the measures they are taking to establish a nuclear safety zone around it. Grossi assured that, through the permanent mission established in the facility, they will continue to keep the world informed and do everything in their power to restore a safe situation.

Within the framework of the event, the Spanish delegation held a meeting with IAEA Director General Grossi where issues of interest to both institutions were addressed, as well as nuclear safety in Ukraine. On this matter, Grossi personally thanked the CSN for its commitment by donating 100 dosimeters and an economic contribution. The collaboration between the Spanish regulator and the IAEA continues to be strategic and both institutions maintain fluid communication.

The IAEA General Conference, held annually, has as its main points on its agenda, the national declarations and the improvements that reinforce nuclear safety, radiological protection and transport programs. In addition, during its course, topics such as waste management, technological applications, technical cooperation and reinforcement of nuclear security programs, along with other areas of work such as the international safeguards systems, are addressed.

The Spanish Nuclear Safety Council (CSN) delegation was conformed by its president, Juan Carlos Lentijo, the commissioners Elvira Romera and Francisco Castejón, the general secretary, Pablo Martín, and the body's technical director of Radiological Protection, Javier Zarzuela.

50th INRA Meeting

Within the framework of this conference, the 50th meeting of the International Nuclear Regulators Association (INRA) was also held, which was inaugurated by its president and highest representative of the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC), Rumina Velshi.

The president of the CSN, Juan Carlos Lentijo, highlighted INRA's support to the Ukrainian regulator in order to guarantee it has the necessary conditions to be able to carry out its work. On the other hand, Lentijo also highlighted the work of the French regulator, which has carried out consultation work with the stakeholders for decision-making on waste management.

Side events

Taking advantage of the framework of the IAEA General Conference, an intense parallel agenda is developed. The Spanish delegation participates in several meetings of interest to the regulator, such as bilateral meetings with regulators from the United States or France. It has also participated in the meeting of the Ibero-American Forum of Radiological and Nuclear Regulatory Bodies (FORO) and will also participate in the plenary meeting of the Global Nuclear Safety and Security Network (GNSSN) together with Alfredo de los Reyes, responsible for the CSN´s International Relations area and president of this global network.

For more information on the development of the General Conference, the IAEA website offers a special informative and a live broadcast service of the plenary sessions that can be accessed through the following link.

*Check here the glossary of technical terms*