The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) hosted the fourth Workshop for Diplomats on Nuclear Law on 15 July 2013 at its Headquarters in Vienna, Austria.
The workshop was organized in the context of the implementation of the IAEA Action Plan on Nuclear Safety and aimed to provide diplomats from Member States with a broad understanding of all aspects of nuclear law. To this end, presentations on the key international legal instruments relating to nuclear safety, nuclear security and safeguards, as well as to civil liability for nuclear damage, were delivered. In addition, participants were provided with an overview of the IAEA's legislative assistance programme.
As pointed out in the opening remarks delivered by Ms. Peri Lynne Johnson, Legal Adviser and Director of the IAEA Office of Legal Affairs (OLA), "the number and complexity of international instruments adopted in the areas of nuclear safety, security, safeguards and liability have significantly increased over the years. Consequently, there has been a growing need in Members States for the Agency to provide advice on the contents of these instruments in an overarching manner."
Similar workshops have been conducted by OLA in 2006, 2008 and 2012. Due to the success of the previous workshops and the new needs mentioned above, OLA decided to repeat this event on a regular basis.