The IAEA Department of Nuclear Sciences and Applications (NA) will host six side events, two technical tours of its research laboratories and an exhibition during the 66th IAEA General Conference, to be held at the Agency’s headquarters in Vienna from 26 to 30 September 2022.
Also, this year's Scientific Forum will focus on the IAEA’s flagship initiative in human health, Rays of Hope: Cancer Care for All.
Follow @IAEANA, @IAEAorg, #IAEAGC and www.iaea.org for updates and articles on our events, listed below with Vienna times:
ReNuAL2: Modernization of the IAEA Seibersdorf Laboratories
Monday, 26 September 2022, 12:00–12:30, at the ReNuAL2 donor display in the A building ground floor corridor adjacent to the entrance to the M building.
The ReNuAL2 project will complete the modernization of the Agency’s laboratories at Seibersdorf, where the IAEA has trained thousands of fellows from developing countries. These laboratories are critical in assisting Member States tackle growing climate and environmental challenges. The event will offer an opportunity to thank Member States for their strong support for ReNuAL2 by providing them with national plaques on the donor display.
Zoonotic Disease Integrated Action (ZODIAC): Current Status and Future Direction
Monday, 26 September 2022, 14:00–14:30 at ESPACE M0E, M building, ground floor.
To strengthen the preparedness and capabilities of Member States to respond to the threat of zoonotic diseases, such as COVID-19, the IAEA launched the ZODIAC initiative in 2020 to support Member States in the early detection, prevention and control of outbreaks. Two years after the launch of ZODIAC, this event will highlight the developments under the flagship initiative and the progress made to integrate ZODIAC as part of concerted global efforts to tackle zoonotic diseases, and will take a look at the way forward.
Water Security in a Changing World
Tuesday, 27 September 2022, 15:30–17:00, in Conference Room M6, M building, ground floor.
Water is essential for life but climate change, pollution, security threats, urbanization, as well as food and energy demand impact the sustainability and security of supply worldwide. This event will showcase the ways in which nuclear techniques can help Member States evaluate the sustainability of their water resources, the interlinkages between different water reservoirs, the need to maintain biodiversity while meeting human demand, and the long term impact of climate change on transboundary water resource security. This event is co-organized by IAEA and UNESCO (Division of Water Sciences).
Nuclear Technology for Controlling Plastic Pollution (NUTEC Plastics)
Wednesday, 28 September 2022, 13:00–14:30, in Conference Room CR7, C building, seventh floor.
The IAEA’s NUTEC Plastics initiative aims to develop and mainstream nuclear technology solutions to plastic pollution in a two-pronged approach: understanding the abundance and impact of marine microplastics, and reducing plastic waste volumes through innovative recycling and the creation of biodegradable plastics. The IAEA is working with Member States to establish a network of marine plastic monitoring laboratories and plastic waste recycling pilot plants. The event will showcase the growing monitoring network and its database, which will provide a science base for policy decisions. Member States’ plans for radiation assisted recycling pilot plants will also be highlighted.
Applications of the IAEA’s Marine Radioactivity Information System
Wednesday, 28 September 2022, 15:00–16:00, at ESPACE M01, M building, first floor.
Sharing verified data with scientists, the IAEA’s Marine Radioactivity Information System (MARIS) supports a wide range of monitoring activities, pollution studies and tracer research applications. With recent upgrades to its user interface and public access now available, MARIS is on its way to being the global hub for marine radioactivity data. This event will showcase its applications for both experts and non-experts, as well as ongoing efforts to make MARIS data easier to find, understand and use, and to include data from other scientific domains for maximum impact and for collaboration with scientists in other organizations.
An Innovative Cross-disciplinary Approach to Improving and Evaluating the Nutritional Benefits of Underutilized Crops
Thursday, 29 September 2022, 13:30–14:00, at ESPACE M0E, M building, ground floor.
Malnutrition is a global problem, driven by multiple factors. One such factor, climate change, undermines crop yield, food production, nutrient density and bioavailability. In this light, underutilized crops with high concentrations of nutrients, including protein, vitamins and minerals, and with the potential to survive under harsh climatic and environmental conditions, could be used to enhance food and nutrition security. This event will present the IAEA’s innovative approach to generating new information for policy makers on the nutritional and health benefits of underutilized crops improved through mutation breeding.
Tour of the IAEA’s Nuclear Applications Laboratories in Seibersdorf
Thursday, 29 September 2022, 9:00–13:00.
Visitors to the IAEA’s nuclear applications laboratories in Seibersdorf will see how the eight laboratories support Member States in the peaceful application of nuclear and nuclear-related techniques for development and environmental protection in areas such as food and agriculture, medical dosimetry, terrestrial environment and nuclear instrumentation.
Advance registration is required via email by 12 noon on Tuesday, 27 September 2022 to NA-Labs@iaea.org stating first and family name, affiliation, delegation and telephone number. Confirmed participants should meet at the Information Desk at the entrance to the M building at 8:50 on Thursday, 29 September. Buses will take visitors from the VIC to Seibersdorf and return four hours later. Due to space constraints, a maximum of 40 visitors can be accommodated.
Tour of the IAEA Isotope Hydrology Laboratory
Wednesday, 28 September 2022, 14:00–15:00.
Visitors to the IAEA Isotope Hydrology Laboratory will hear about the analytical support it provides to the Agency’s water resources programme, training for scientists from Member States and quality assurance services to isotope hydrology laboratories worldwide. The laboratory also develops hydrology laboratory instruments for transfer to Member States.
Advance registration is required via email by 12 noon on Tuesday, 27 September 2022, to the IAEA Isotope Hydrology Laboratory, stating first and family name, affiliation, delegation and telephone number. The assembly point is the Information Desk at the entrance to the M building from where participants will be picked up on the respective day at 13:50, on Wednesday, 28 September 2022.
Exhibition
Throughout the week, at its exhibition booth on the first floor of the M Building, the Department of Nuclear Sciences and Applications will also showcase how it supports countries in achieving their sustainable development goals.