Behind the Scenes at Major Public Events

As the Greek flag was raised over the stadium for the 2004 Olympic Games, marking a return to their ancient home after more than a century, most spectators and athletes were unaware of an extensive behind-the-scenes effort to protect them from potential nuclear security threats. For the first time, the IAEA was involved in providing training and equipment for such an event, enabling Greece to enhance nuclear security measures during the Olympic Games.

A major public event (MPE) is a planned national or international event classified by the host country as ‘major’ and requiring the implementation of complex security measures, including those related to nuclear security. In an era when the global community frequently gathers for MPEs such as sporting events, high level political or religious forums and international conferences, as well as planning and training, are necessary to enhance nuclear security.

Nuclear security for MPEs encompasses measures designed to prevent, detect and respond to criminal or intentional unauthorized acts involving nuclear or other radioactive material or directed at nuclear and associated facilities.

The IAEA has been at the forefront of this effort to integrate nuclear security protocols into traditional security arrangements for MPEs — an effort crucial to safeguarding global peace and securing the lives of millions.

“The IAEA’s support and assistance in this area includes equipment loans, training workshops, tabletop and field exercises, and on-site technical assistance from international experts,” says Itimad Soufi, Head of the Nuclear Security of Materials outside of Regulatory Control Section in the IAEA’s Division of Nuclear Security. “Behind the scenes, our unwavering dedication to nuclear security ensures that events remain untarnished by threats”.

Additionally, the IAEA helps countries hosting MPEs in a unique way, through information exchange. Before an event, the IAEA can provide a tailored Incident and Trafficking Database analysis report on nuclear security threats, trends and patterns, which is focused on the host country and region.

An increased role

The IAEA’s role has greatly increased since its inaugural venture in 2004, when it supported the Athens Olympic Games. Over the past 20 years, the IAEA has extended its support to numerous high profile international events, providing assistance for security measures that protect against nuclear security threats.

The IAEA has provided expertise and resources for 75 MPEs in 46 countries, from World Youth Days to the Women’s and Men’s football World Cups. Most recently, the IAEA has supported MPEs such as the Africa Cup of Nations in Côte d'Ivoire by providing local experts with hands-on training in required measures, including pre-event analyses of threats and of the possible consequences of the deliberate misuse of nuclear or other radioactive material.

“Events of such magnitude require an overall security plan that includes nuclear security measures. Through collaboration with and support from the IAEA, nuclear security was assured at the event,” says Oka N’guessan Guy Léopold, Nuclear Physicist and Deputy Directory of Nuclear Safety and Security at Côte d’Ivoire’s Radiation Protection, Nuclear Safety and Security Authority.

Other events, such as the 27th and 28th sessions of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP27 and COP28) hosted in 2022 and 2023 by Egypt and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) respectively, were also supported through the implementation of nuclear security measures.

“It is important that MPEs that host delegates, professionals, and members of the general public are conducted in accordance with the highest standards of safety and security, including nuclear security. The UAE worked closely with the IAEA to ensure that international standards of nuclear security were upheld during COP28,” says Fahed Mohamed Al Blooshi, Director of the Nuclear Security Department at the UAE’s Federal Authority for Nuclear Regulation.

Innovation through technology and training

As technology has evolved over the past 20 years, the IAEA has kept pace, enabling the development of apps and software supporting nuclear security operations and decision making. In 2023, the IAEA launched the Mobile-Integrated Nuclear Security Network (M-INSN), which provides real time radiation data on operations in high traffic areas such as airports, land borders and seaports that require nuclear security measures to be in place.

M-INSN can vastly strengthen the implementation of nuclear security measures at MPEs. The first ever use of M-INSN at an MPE was at the Women’s U-20 football World Cup, held in Costa Rica in August 2022. The tool was also used to support the nuclear security measures at COP27.

In parallel, the IAEA continues to enhance its training and support programmes, ensuring that countries hosting significant events are well prepared to tackle nuclear security challenges. The recently inaugurated IAEA Nuclear Security Training and Demonstration Centre offers workshops and simulation exercises for a range of scenarios — from the detection of unauthorized radioactive material to the implementation of response measures — to officials and experts responsible for implementing nuclear security.

In the past six years alone, the IAEA has lent over 3500 pieces of radiation detection equipment to countries around the world. Training, tabletop and field exercises led by the IAEA and international nuclear security experts have enabled countries to stay up to date in the face of complex nuclear security challenges.

Effectively addressing nuclear security concerns at global gatherings is critical to international relations and public safety, and an important practical example of the IAEA’s continuous commitment to global peace and security.