The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) is organizing a conference next week on effective preparedness for - and response to - nuclear and radiological emergencies.
The 19-23 October International Conference on Global Emergency Preparedness and Response will provide a forum for exchange of information and experiences for officials and experts in nuclear safety and security, emergency responders and others involved.
The conference will focus on topics such as emergency management, protection strategies, communication, public health and medical response, waste, international cooperation, education and training.
Countries are responsible for their own arrangements to prepare for and respond to potential radiation emergencies. The IAEA supports its Member States’ work to fulfil this responsibility by developing safety standards and guidelines and working to define and promote common approaches.
The IAEA carries out work under the Convention on Early Notification of a Nuclear Accident and the Convention on Assistance in the Case of a Nuclear Accident or Radiological Emergency, both of which were adopted in 1986 following the Chernobyl accident. The IAEA Action Plan on Nuclear Safety, adopted by IAEA Member States following the 2011 Fukushima nuclear accident, calls on Member States, the IAEA and other international organizations to strengthen emergency preparedness and response.
Media opportunities:
- The opening session, to be held from 9:30 to 10:30 Central European Summer Time on 19 October in Boardroom B of the Vienna International Centre’s M building, is open to journalists. Speakers include IAEA Director General Yukiya Amano, IAEA Deputy Director General and Head of the Department of Nuclear Safety and Security Juan Carlos Lentijo, and Conference President Ramzi Jammal, Executive Vice-President And Chief Regulatory Officer at the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission.
- A press briefing set to start at 10:40 CEST in room B0438 of the Vienna International Centre’s B building. Participants include Mr Lentijo, IAEA Incident and Emergency Centre Head Elena Buglova and Mr Jammal. To participate via telephone, dial +43 (0)1-2243, extension 12357, and use the pin code 27488 followed by #.
- The closing session, to be held from 13:00-14:00 CEST in Boardroom B of the Vienna International Centre’s M building, also is open to the media.
- Journalists interested in interviewing participants are encouraged to contact the IAEA press office.
Accreditation
All journalists are requested to inform the IAEA Press Office of their plans to attend. Journalists with permanent credentials to the VIC need no additional credentials. We encourage those journalists who do not yet have permanent accreditation, to request it at UNIS Vienna.
Others should contact Theresa Mackay for accreditation. Please email T.Mackay@iaea.org or call [+43-1]-2600-21273.