65th IAEA General Conference

Side Events Organized and/or Co-sponsored by the Secretariat During the 65th General Conference

Nuclear Security E-learning: A Tool to Effectively Engage with Nuclear Security Practitioners Worldwide

The objective of this event is to showcase the suite of IAEA nuclear security e-learning modules and to engage a wide range of users in an interactive and hands-on presentation, including a demonstration of different modules. This will be an interactive session, with participants receiving an overview of the e-learning courses available and the chance to try out the modules under the guidance of the Technical Officers involved in their development.

This event will be held on Monday, 20 September 2021, from 12.00 noon to 1.00 p.m. at ESPACE M0E, M building, ground floor.

ReNuAL2: Building for Science

The renovation of the IAEA nuclear applications laboratories, known as ReNuAL, is modernizing the Agency’s unique laboratories within the UN system. This is where the IAEA produces science and where it has trained thousands of fellows from developing nations. These laboratories are critical in assisting Member States tackle the growing climate and environmental challenges. The event offers an opportunity to thank Member States for their strong support for the ReNuAL2 project and showcase the accomplishments to date as well as the vision for the future.

The event will be held on Monday, 20 September 2021, from 1.00 p.m. to 1.30 p.m. at the entrance to M building leading to A building. 

The event will be also accessible virtually. 

The Integrated Nuclear Security Support Plans (INSSP): Building on 15 Years of Achievements

This event will feature a panel discussion to reflect on lessons learned from 15 years of implementation of Integrated Nuclear Security Support Plans (INSSPs) since they were first introduced in 2006. To date, 112 States have developed an INSSP, and 75% of all requests for nuclear security assistance received by the IAEA are channelled through INSSPs. Keynote speakers will include IAEA and State officials, as well as representatives from international partners supporting the INSSP programme, who will share their experience related to how INSSPs increase coordination and support partnership building to effectively address States’ nuclear security needs.

This event will be held on Monday, 20 September 2021, from 1.00 p.m. to 2.30 p.m. in Conference Room C3, C building, seventh floor.

The event will be also accessible virtually, please note that registration is required.

State Declarations Portal: The Efficient Way to Exchange Information with the IAEA Department of Safeguards

The State Declarations Portal (SDP) provides an online method for State and regional authorities to submit to and receive information from the IAEA Department of Safeguards. This event will demonstrate how to securely exchange information through the SDP. 

This virtual event will be held on Monday, 20 September 2021, from 1.30 p.m. to 2.00 p.m. The event will be accessible here.

Nuclear Knowledge Management Digital Hub

This event will introduce the Nuclear Knowledge Management Digital Hub, which offers easy access to the latest information on nuclear knowledge management guidance and services to support Member States with operating nuclear facilities and those considering or developing new nuclear programmes.

This virtual event will be held on Monday, 20 September 2021, from 1.30 p.m. to 2.30 p.m. 

The event will be also accessible virtually, please note that registration is required.

Achievement Awards in Plant Mutation Breeding and Associated Biotechnologies

Successes in Member States during the last six years is celebrated with the FAO/IAEA Achievement Awards in plant mutation breeding and associated biotechnologies. These awards were first given in 2014 at the 50th anniversary of the Joint FAO/IAEA Division. Much progress has been achieved since then, and a total of 76 nominations across 41 Member States have been received this year. The event will recognize the winning entries in three award categories: Outstanding Achievement, Women in Plant Mutation Breeding and Young Scientists.

This event will be held on Monday, 20 September 2021, from 3.00 p.m. to 4.00 p.m. in Conference Room C4, C building, seventh floor. The event will be also accessible virtually.

IAEA Net-Zero Challenge: Meet the Finalists

Ahead of COP26, this event will feature the finalists of the IAEA Net Zero Challenge, who will present their projects describing how low carbon energy sources could help their countries and regions in achieving the Paris Agreement goals. The presentations will be followed by open discussion on proposed policies and strategies and their potential social, economic and environmental impacts.

This event will be held on Monday, 20 September 2021, from 3.00 p.m. to 4.30 p.m. in Conference Room C3, C building, seventh floor.

The event will be also accessible virtually, please note that registration is required.

IAEA Marie Skłodowska-Curie Fellowship Programme: Status and Prospects

The IAEA Marie Skłodowska-Curie Fellowship Programme was launched in 2020 to help grow the number of women in the nuclear field. This event will present the achievements of the programme one year on, highlighting the role of Member States in its continued success.

This event will be held on Tuesday, 21 September 2021, from 9.30 a.m. to 10.30 a.m. in Conference Room C4, C building, seventh floor. 

The event will be also accessible virtually, please note that registration is required.

Innovations in the Production and Use of Nuclear Hydrogen for a Clean Energy Transition

Stringent climate change goals and recent advances in technology and infrastructure have underscored the potential role of hydrogen produced by nuclear energy in the transition towards net zero carbon emission goals. This event will present the latest progress in nuclear hydrogen projects and showcase emerging opportunities in the heat, power and industry sectors. It will highlight the crucial roles played by sector cooperation, the supply chain and policy support in moving these projects forward.

This event will be held on Tuesday, 21 September 2021, from 10.00 a.m. to 11.30 a.m. in Conference Room C3, C building, seventh floor.

The event will be also accessible virtually, please note that registration is required.

Recruitment at the IAEA: Attracting Talent from Member States

During this event, IAEA Recruitment Officers will provide a high-level overview of the IAEA's recruitment process and existing talent outreach tools, such as recruitment missions and pipelines aimed at finding qualified professionals from across Member States. Additionally, the IAEA will share with Member States information about the different contract modalities that the IAEA offers, with a particular focus on cooperation with Member States on the cost-free expert and Junior Professional Officer programmes.

This event will be held on Tuesday, 21 September 2021, from 10.30 a.m. to 11.30 a.m. in Conference Room M5, M building, ground floor.

The event will be also accessible virtually, please note that registration is requiered.  

Digitalization in Support of Planning and Implementation of Nuclear Decommissioning

This event will highlight examples of the practical value of digitalization for advancing decommissioning projects, including 3D simulations, visualization, virtual and augmented reality and similar applications. The IAEA perspectives on these approaches will be supported by examples of real applications in Member States, in particular by IAEA Collaborating Centres on decommissioning.

This event will be held on Tuesday, 21 September 2021, from 10.30 a.m. to 12.00 noon in Conference Room M4, M building, ground floor.

The event will be also accessible virtually, please note that registration is required.

DSRSNet – An International Resource for Disused Sealed Radioactive Source Management

DSRSNet is a CONNECT network established in 2019 as a forum for sharing practical experience, knowledge and international developments on the safe management of DSRSs. This event will showcase new features and resources of DSRSNet through an interactive demonstration.

This event will be held on Tuesday, 21 September 2021, from 11.00 a.m. to 12.00 noon in Conference Room C4, C building, seventh floor.

The event will be also accessible virtually, please note that registration is required.

Developing Capacity for the Wider Use of Stable Isotope Techniques for Source Attribution of Greenhouse Gases in the Atmosphere

This event aims to increase awareness in Member States about the impact of generating data for emissions verification of greenhouse gases through performing high-quality stable isotope measurements on their efforts to meet their nationally determined contributions.

This event will be held on Tuesday, 21 September 2021, from 11.30 a.m. to 12.30 p.m. in Conference Room M6, M building, ground floor.

The event will be also accessible virtually, please note that registration is required.

Licensing Novel Advanced Reactors: Addressing the Challenges

This event will highlight the latest IAEA safety related activities on novel advanced reactors, including Small Modular Reactors (SMR) and the SMR Regulators’ Forum. A wide range of topics will be covered; from licensing to the applicability of IAEA safety standards to these technologies including siting, design, commissioning and operation; and the development of a technology-neutral safety assessment framework. A panel of senior regulators will consider how the IAEA activities and future plans could best support them to address the issues they are facing on the regulatory assessment of these technologies.

This event will be held on Tuesday, 21 September 2021, from 12.00 noon to 1.00 p.m. in Conference Room C3, C building, seventh floor.

The event will be also accessible virtually, please note that registration is required.

IAEA Procurement: Adding Value in the Implementation of IAEA Programmes

During this event, staff from the IAEA’s Office of Procurement Services will present the key elements of IAEA procurement process, highlighting key achievements, such as the extensive COVID-19-related procurement, and cooperation with Member States and other partners.

This event will be held on Tuesday, 21 September 2021, from 12.00 noon to 1.00 p.m. at ESPACE M0E, M building, ground floor.

COMPASS: Enhancing Safeguards Assistance to States

Launched in September 2020, the IAEA Comprehensive Capacity-Building Initiative for SSACs and SRAs (COMPASS) builds on existing IAEA assistance to help States strengthen the effectiveness of State or regional authorities responsible for safeguards implementation (SRAs) and State systems of accounting for and control of nuclear material (SSACs). COMPASS also complements existing IAEA safeguards support for States, which has been developed over the past 45 years. This event will showcase the assistance provided to COMPASS pilot States, and highlight the range of support the IAEA can offer States in the field of safeguards.

This event will be held on Tuesday, 21 September 2021, from 1.00 p.m. to 2.00 p.m. in Conference Room M5, M building, ground floor.

The event will be also accessible virtually.

Roadmap towards Implementing a Deep Geological Repository

Implementing a Deep geological repository (DGR) for radioactive waste is a central enabler of sustainable nuclear power generation and associated fuel cycle activities. This event will present the IAEA generic roadmap towards implementing a DGR based on practices and experiences in a range of national DGR programmes. It describes the main phases of a national DGR programme, presents the main groups of activities and introduces a corresponding, generic suite of deliverables needed to progress the programme to the next phase.

This event will be held on Tuesday, 21 September 2021, from 3.00 p.m. to 4.00 p.m. in Conference Room M7, M building, ground floor.

The event will be also accessible virtually, please note that registration is required.

The Power of Data: an IAEA Approach to enhance Cancer Support - from Prevention to Palliation

Maintaining high quality data requires concerted strategic effort, time and resources. Collaboration in data collection, and ensuring high quality and transparent handling and processing of data are key to creating robust, accurate data sets. These are essential for informed decision and policy making in radiation medicine and nutrition. The IAEA has been supporting research as well as policies related to health through databases such as ORION, DIRAC, DLW and IRIS that the new generation of databases will build on.

This event will be held on Tuesday, 21 September 2021, from 3.30 p.m. to 5.00 p.m. in Conference Room M5, M building, ground floor.

The event will be also accessible virtually. 

Environmental Sampling and Verifying the Peaceful Use of Nuclear

By collecting environmental samples, Nuclear Safeguards Inspectors look for minute traces left behind from nuclear processes. As one of the most powerful tools available to inspectors, analysis of environmental samples can pick out uranium and plutonium at weights below one trillionth of a gram. Attendees to this side event will learn how the analysis of environmental samples supports safeguards verification activities and contributes to international peace and security.

This virtual event will be held on Wednesday, 22 September 2021, from 9.30 a.m. to 10.00 a.m. The event will be accessible here.

Research Reactor Database: Upgrade of the IAEA Research Reactor Information System

The IAEA Research Reactor Database contains technical and administrative information on over 840 research reactors currently in operation, under construction, planned, shut down, under decommissioning, or decommissioned in 70 countries. The event will provide information on the major upgrade of this popular database, which is scheduled to be released in September 2021.

This event will be held on Wednesday, 22 September 2021, from 10.00 a.m. to 11.00 a.m. in Conference Room M6, M building, ground floor.

The event will be also accessible virtually, please note that registration is required.

The Technical Cooperation Programme in Asia and the Pacific: Major Contribution to Development

In recognizing the United Nations Day for South–South Cooperation, in parallel with the IAEA’s motto “Atoms for Peace and Development,” the event will explore how collaboration in nuclear technology contributes to development in the Asia and the Pacific region. The many collaboration challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as the Division for Asia and the Pacific’s countermeasures, will also be discussed. Success stories from the recently published “Journeys to Success” compendium will highlight the contribution of the technical cooperation programme to areas such as nuclear medicine, non-destructive testing and agricultural productivity in the region.

This event will be held on Wednesday, 22 September 2021, from 10.00 a.m. to 11.30 a.m. in Conference Room C3, C building, seventh floor.

The event will be also accessible virtually, please note that registration is required.

Milestones in the Development of National Infrastructure for the Uranium Production Cycle

This event will present the forthcoming IAEA Nuclear Energy Series Guide on the structured and systematic IAEA Milestones Approach for the development of a uranium production programme, designed to support Member States in developing regulatory, technical, safety, environmental and social aspects of the uranium production cycle. It will also present other IAEA publications under preparation and provide an overview of the e-Learning programme under development.

This event will be held on Wednesday, 22 September 2021, from 10.00 a.m. to 11.00 a.m. in meeting room M7.

The event will be also accessible virtually, please note that registration is required.

Recent Developments in Support of the IAEA’s Assessment and Prognosis Emergency Response Role

The Incident and Emergency Centre continues to develop tools to support the IAEA’s assessment and prognosis role in the response to nuclear or radiological incidents or emergencies, while making effective use of Member States’ capabilities. This event will provide the participants with an overview and live demonstration of the Reactor Assessment Tool and its newly implemented prognosis workflow, and of the newly developed Database of Source Terms for accident scenarios involving nuclear power plants and spent fuel pools, which is populated with data shared by Member States on a voluntary basis.

This event will be held on Wednesday, 22 September 2021, from 12.00 noon to 1.00 p.m. in Conference Room M6, M building, ground floor.

The event will be also accessible virtually, please note that registration is required.

Milestones Approach for Responsible Deployment of Nuclear Technologies

The Milestones approach has been used since 2007, with 32 INIR missions conducted to 22 Member States. The Milestones approach is regularly revised, based on the lessons learned and the evolving technology landscape. This event will showcase the most up to date guiding materials and practices for countries embarking on or expanding their nuclear power programmes, based on the Milestones approach as well as the new IAEA publication entitled Integrated Nuclear Infrastructure Review (INIR): Ten Years of Lessons Learned.

This event will be held on Wednesday, 22 September 2021, from 12.00 noon to 1.00 p.m. in room M7.

The event will be also accessible virtually, please note that registration is required.

The IAEA Platform on Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) and their Applications: Coordinated Support to Member States on SMR Development and Oversight for Near Term Deployment

While at least 70 SMR designs are under development in 17 Member States, the first SMR is already in operation and dozens of designs are charted for near term deployment by 2030. The primary challenges for commercialization are the demonstration of technology and safety, and economic competitiveness against available alternatives. In response to a request by Member States to address these challenges and facilitate timely and coordinated deployment, the IAEA has established the IAEA Platform on SMRs and their Applications. The event will present the services and support this new platform offers to Member States.

This event will be held on Wednesday, 22 September 2021, from 12.30 p.m. to 2.00 p.m. in Conference Room C3, C building, seventh floor.

The event will be also accessible virtually, please note that registration is required.

Atoms for Heritage

The event will present case studies where nuclear techniques play a prominent role in the characterisation and preservation of cultural heritage objects.

This event will be held on Wednesday, 22 September 2021, from 12.30 noon to 3.00 p.m. in Conference Room M5, M building, ground floor.

The event will be also accessible virtually, please note that registration is required.

Global Nuclear Safety and Security Network (GNSSN) Plenary Meeting

The Global Nuclear Safety and Security Network (GNSSN) Plenary is an annual meeting held on the margins of the IAEA General Conference. This event brings together members of the GNSSN Steering Committee, leadership and members of associated networks, and senior IAEA officials to share updates, achievements, and highlights relevant to the GNSSN programme. The focus of the event will be on transforming the GNSSN programme to adapt to global changes and on building networks and partnerships in the 21st century.

This event will be held on Wednesday, 22 September 2021, from 1.00 p.m. to 3.00 p.m. in Conference Room C4, C building, seventh floor.

The event will be also accessible virtually, please note that registration is required.

Verifying in the Field: A Day in the Life of a Nuclear Safeguards Inspector

Safeguards inspectors are an essential part of the global nuclear non-proliferation regime. By carrying out verification activities, the IAEA can provide assurances that States are not diverting nuclear material from peaceful to military purposes or misusing nuclear technology. At this event, IAEA safeguards inspectors will discuss their work and experience in contributing to international peace and security.

This virtual event will be held on Wednesday, 22 September 2021, from 1.30 p.m. to 2.00 p.m. The event will be accessible here.

Radiological Crime Scene Management and Nuclear Forensics

Radiological crime scene management (RCSM) and nuclear forensics are key elements of a nuclear security regime. While the importance of nuclear forensics is already recognized worldwide, recognition of the importance of RCSM, as well as the need to connect the work in these areas, is also on the rise. The event will present the main elements of RCSM, such as the proper use of personal protective equipment and searching and packaging mechanisms, and how to conduct in-field categorization of materials, with a specific focus on the connection of RCSM with nuclear forensics.

This event will be held on Wednesday, 22 September 2021, from 2.00 p.m. to 3.00 p.m. at ESPACE M0E, M building, ground floor.

Safeguarding the Nuclear Future: Small Modular Reactors

Small modular reactors (SMRs) offer significant potential for the future generation of nuclear energy. As countries adopt these technologies, the IAEA Department of Safeguards will be required to verify both peaceful use and associated nuclear material. At this event, participants will learn about the relevant safeguards considerations for advanced reactors, how safeguards considerations can be integrated into the design process for SMRs, and the importance of working with the IAEA at an early stage to ensure that a State’s international safeguards obligations can be met as effectively and efficiently as possible.

This virtual event will be held on Thursday, 23 September 2021, from 9.30 a.m. to 10.00 a.m. The event will be accessible here.

Spent Fuel Storage Options: Challenges and Solutions

This event will present the draft IAEA Nuclear Energy Series Guide on spent fuel storage options and systems for commercial power reactor fuels. It will also provide information on the current status of research reactor spent nuclear fuel challenges and solutions implemented within the research reactor community. The event seeks to improve understanding of the technical challenges and options for the storage of spent fuel by providing the latest technical information, including an overview of available storage systems and their main characteristics.

This event will be held on Thursday, 23 September 2021, from 10.00 a.m. to 11.00 a.m. in Conference Room M6, M building, ground floor.

The event will be also accessible virtually, please note that registration is required.

Fission Supporting Fusion Technology Development

As ITER’s experiment start-date to create plasma comes closer to fruition, the IAEA is working to facilitate sharing of relevant experience in fission technology to benefit the fusion community in technology development for electricity production. This event will discuss and identify those areas of fission technology that can benefit fusion technology development and how this knowledge could be made available.

This event will be held on Thursday, 23 September 2021, from 10.30 a.m. to 11.00 a.m. in Conference Room M7, M building, ground floor. 

The event will be also accessible virtually. 

An Interactive Session to Explore Electricity Sector Decarbonization with PowerInvest

In this interactive session, participants will be challenged to set a country’s electricity generating mix, optimizing for both emissions reduction, costs and supply reliability.

PowerInvest, successfully staged at the GC in 2019, has been upgraded to include hydro and battery storage options.

This virtual event will be held on Thursday, 23 September 2021, from 11.30 a.m. to 12.30 p.m. The event will be accessible here. 

Analysis of Sustainable Integration of Nuclear and Renewable Existing and Future Power Systems: Framework for Modelling Electricity Systems

This event will present Framework for Modelling Electricity Systems (FRAMES), a new IAEA model for the assessment of integrated electricity systems. FRAMES can help quantify the value that nuclear brings to low carbon systems, for example with nuclear and renewables, and inform policy and other techno-economic evaluations.

This event will be held on Thursday, 23 September 2021, from 1.00 p.m. to 2.00 p.m. 

The event will be accessible here.  

Enhancing Human Resource Development in Nuclear Science and Technology

The IAEA assists Member States in training staff for high level technical expertise in the peaceful use of nuclear science and technology to address development needs.

The objective of this event is to share results achieved to date regarding ongoing long-term training programmes in Africa. The event will also highlight business plans for establishing national nuclear science and technology facilities for postgraduate-level research and plans to promote nuclear science and technology within existing regional programmes.

The event will also deliberate on future actions and modalities to further enhance human resource development in Africa.

This event will be held on Thursday, 23 September 2021, from 2.00 p.m. to 3.00 p.m. in Conference Room M7, M building, ground floor.

The event will be also accessible virtually, please note that registration is required. 

Nuclear–Renewable Integrated Energy Systems: Low-Cost, Scalable Transition to Sustainable Energy Systems

Nuclear and renewables are the two principal, currently available options for low emission energy generation. However, synergies among these resources have yet to be explored and fully exploited. This event will present a new coordinated research project launched by the IAEA to support Member States in further advancing the knowledge pertaining to modelling, simulation, and analysis approaches for the design and optimization of nuclear-renewable hybrid energy systems.

This virtual event will be held on Thursday, 23 September 2021, from 2.30 p.m. to 3.30 p.m. The event will be accessible here.

Regulatory Cooperation Forum Plenary Meeting

The Plenary will focus on the common challenges and issues for regulatory infrastructure development among nuclear power plant (NPP) embarking countries and facilitate experience sharing with NPP advanced countries. There will be a focus on the implementation of the Regulatory Cooperation Forum (RCF) Strategic Plan (2020–2024) objectives, as well as on the RCF ‘Generic Roadmap’ and the relationship with nuclear safety peer review and advisory services for embarking countries. The event will also provide an opportunity to raise awareness of RCF activities.

This event will be held on Friday, 24 September 2021, from 1.00 p.m. to 3.00 p.m. in Conference Room C4, C building, seventh floor. 

The event will be also accessible virtually, please note that registration is required.

Inauguration of the Women in Nuclear ARCAL Regional Chapter

This event will serve as the official inauguration of the Women in Nuclear chapter for the Regional Co-operation Agreement for the Promotion of Nuclear Science and Technology in Latin America and the Caribbean (ARCAL) and as a celebration of the achievements of Latin America and the Caribbean in gender parity in 2020–2021.

This event will be held on Friday, 24 September 2021, from 2.00 p.m. to 3.00 p.m. in Conference Room BR-C, C building, fourth floor.

The event will be also accessible virtually.