International Conference on the Security of Radioactive Material: The Way Forward for Prevention and Detection

The IAEA will convene an international conference during the week of 3 to 7 December 2018 to provide a forum for Member States to share their experiences, including difficulties encountered, lessons learned and good practices adopted, in the implementation of the Nuclear Security Recommendations on Radioactive Material and Associated Facilities (IAEA Nuclear Security Series No. 14), and Nuclear Security Recommendations on Nuclear and Other Radioactive Material out of Regulatory Control (IAEA Nuclear Security Series No. 15)and related international instruments, such as the Code of Conduct on the Safety and Security of Radioactive Sources. The conference will also provide an opportunity to outline the way forward.

Objectives

The purpose of the conference is to foster the exchange of practices and experiences related to the security of radioactive material under regulatory control in use, transport and storage, and to the system and measures for detection of this material out of regulatory control.

The conference will provide a forum to:

Exchange information related to the use of a threat-based, risk-informed approach for the protection of radioactive material in use, transport and storage and for the establishment of nuclear security systems and measures for the detection of this material when out of regulatory control;

Share experiences in the development of regulatory frameworks, requirements for radioactive material and associated facilities, and nuclear security systems and measures for detection of  this material when out of regulatory control;

• Exchange information and experiences regarding the planning, establishment, maintenance and sustaining of nuclear security measures and systems;
• Exchange information and experiences regarding interfaces between competent authorities when radioactive material is lost, stolen, or involved in illicit trafficking;
• Exchange information on methodologies and techniques to assess the effectiveness of nuclear security measures and systems;
• Review technological developments in nuclear security;
• Review the current status of nuclear security efforts and existing approaches, emerging trends and areas that may still need to be addressed;
• Raise awareness of nuclear security amongst all competent authorities and other stakeholders and identify how each can contribute to the sustainability of national nuclear security regimes;
• Facilitate cooperation among all competent authorities and other stakeholders at the national or international levels, as applicable; and
• Promote international nuclear security guidance and its use by States.

The conference will address neither subjects related to the security of nuclear material under regulatory control in use, transport and storage, nor the response to nuclear security events. Further, the conference will not discuss any sensitive nuclear security information and issues of a political nature.

List of Topics

Consistent with the objectives set out above, the overall themes for the conference will be:

• Securing radioactive material from cradle to grave;
• Detecting radioactive material involved in criminal/unauthorized acts;
• Strengthening domestic interfaces and leveraging existing capabilities for keeping material under control and for detecting such material when out of regulatory control;
• Facilitating international cooperation in supporting the efforts of states to fulfil their responsibilities to ensure the security of radioactive material;
• Strengthening sustainability and effectiveness of nuclear security regimes related to security of radioactive material and nuclear security detection architecture.

While the number and scope of the topical sessions will be based on the nature and number of synopses received, it is anticipated that the topical sessions may deal with the subjects listed in the conference announcement.

Target Audience

The conference is aimed at participants with responsibility for policy, technical and legal aspects of nuclear security. This includes officials, policymakers and operational stakeholders responsible for nuclear security and experts and representatives from a wide range of technical disciplines and specialist organizations that contribute to the security of radioactive material under and out of regulatory control, including: international and regional organizations with relevant competencies, national governmental authorities, national security entities, regulatory bodies, TSOs and law enforcement and border control agencies.

It is expected that the participants in the conference will also include industry and civil society representatives, including from non-governmental organizations and academic institutions.

The IAEA welcomes and encourages the participation of women, early career professionals and individuals from developing countries.

Programme Structure

The conference programme will consist of an opening session, plenary sessions, technical sessions, poster and interactive content sessions, exhibitions, and a closing session. The opening session will include welcoming addresses by representatives of the IAEA, cooperating organizations and other relevant organizations. The plenary sessions will continue with a combination of invited keynote presentations and submitted papers addressing the main themes and topics of the conference. Each topical session will include presentations and/or panel discussions delivered by participants which will be selected on the basis of the synopses submitted. The conference will also include poster and interactive content sessions, and sufficient time will be provided for discussion and interaction with colleagues. The final plenary session on the last day of the conference will be dedicated to technical and scientific comments or suggestions for future discussions on the way forward.

Synopsis Submission

Synopsis must be submitted in electronic format through the IAEA browser-based file submission system INDICO available at the conference website. Additionally, Forms A and B have to be submitted as explained in the announcement on the conference website. Submission of synopses only (without submission of Forms A and B) will not be considered.

Registration and Funds

No registration fee is charged to participants.

Limited funds are available to assist certain participants. Approved grants will usually cover only part of the cost of attendance. Please see the conference website for further details.

Key Deadlines (updated)

• 30 April 2018: Submission of synopses through INDICO (including submission of Forms A and B through a competent national authority – see Section F of the Announcement)
• 30 April 2018: Submission of grant application (Forms A and C through a competent national authority – see Section G of the Announcement)
• 30 June 2018: Notification of acceptance of synopses
• 15 October 2018: Submission of full papers (10 pages maximum)
• No deadline: Registration only (submission of Form A through a competent national authority)

Exhibition

A limited amount of space will be available for commercial vendors’ display/exhibits during the conference. Interested parties should contact the Scientific Secretariat by email at CN269@iaea.org by 15 April 2018.

Greening

To demonstrate its commitment to sustainability, the IAEA will organize this conference as a 'green meeting' according to the guidelines of the Austrian Ecolabel. This means that the IAEA will keep the ecological impact of the Conference as low as possible. The Vienna International Centre is already a workplace that is powered by carbon neutral electricity from 100% renewable sources. There will be a focus on the areas of paper smart documentation, waste reduction and recycling, and environmentally friendly catering.

The IAEA as organizer will contribute to making the Conference a Green Meeting. Delegates can have a role in this endeavour and are encouraged to choose environmentally friendly options when planning their participation. Small actions can make a big difference: choosing environmentally certified accommodation, giving feedback via the IAEA Conference and Meetings app, sorting waste for recycling, and returning name badges - these will all help to reduce the environmental impact. Information on how to effectively contribute to climate protection, both locally and globally can be found here. 

Vienna has an efficient network of public transport - buses, trains, trams and underground lines - that covers most of the city. The IAEA encourages participants to make full use of these greener modes of transportation.

Conference app

The IAEA Conferences and Meetings App provides a one-stop access to information on the Conference and  exhibitions. The app also allows users to put together their own personalized schedule of events. Via this app participants will be able to view contributed papers and the latest conference programme, message other participants, and view PowerPoint presentations released after the event. Participants will receive an email inviting them to register for the app approximately one week before the conference.

For iPhone or iPad users, get your free download through the Apple iTunes Store; those with Android devices can visit the Google Play Store.