lnternational Conference on Enhancing Nuclear Safety and Security Through Technical and Scientific Support Organizations (TSOs): Challenges and Opportunities in a Rapidly Changing World

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Background

The International Conference on Enhancing Nuclear Safety and Security through Technical and Scientific Support Organizations (TSOs): Challenges and Opportunities in a Rapidly Changing World to be hosted at IAEA's headquarters in Vienna, Austria from 2-6 December 2024. This conference will continue the tradition established by the four preceding conferences on this subject, which were held, respectively in Brussels, Belgium (2018), in Beijing, China (2014), in Tokyo, Japan (2010) and in Aix-en-Provence, France (2007).

Like the earlier conferences, the forthcoming one will play a vital part in the national and international efforts made to ensure the effectiveness of nuclear and radiation safety and security regulatory systems. This conference will also focus, in particular, on the development and strengthening of technical and scientific capabilities to achieve enhanced nuclear and radiation safety and security of facilities and activities, including operational legacy and emerging challenges as well as exchange and transfer of best practices with embarking countries interested in nuclear power to meet growing energy needs.

It is recognised that nuclear safety and security are to a great extent scientific in nature and that a regulatory body with responsibilities for nuclear facilities and other licensed activities involving radioactive material need to have continuous access to technical and scientific expertise supporting regulatory functions. In this regard, one of the main conclusions of the last conference in 2018 highlighted the need to assist Member States in their strategies to develop their TSO capacities in order to promote TSO’s potential contribution to the independence and sustainable effectiveness of the national nuclear safety and security regulatory infrastructures. This fifth conference on TSOs will, in particular, present achievements that addressed the recommendations from the previous TSO conferences.

This conference is being organized by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in cooperation with the European Technical Safety Organizations Network (ETSON).

Purpose and Objectives

The purpose of the conference is to consider how to develop and strengthen technical and scientific capabilities to achieve enhanced nuclear and radiation safety and security of facilities and activities, including operational legacy situations and emerging challenges as well as the exchange and transfer of best practices with nuclear power embarking countries.

The conference will highlight the importance of scientific and technical capabilities to support regulatory decision-making for enhanced nuclear and radiation safety and security. While addressing challenges to the development, maintenance and enhancement of such capacities, the conference will:

• Enhance scientific and technical basis within the regulatory infrastructure for nuclear and radiation safety and security;
• Exchange of best practices and enhance technical and scientific capacities between Member States including embarking countries;
• Enhance scientific knowledge and adaptability for new technologies in a rapidly changing world;
• Promote involvement of young generation in the TSO activities, including TSO awards for young professionals ;
• Encourage Member States to apply the methodology for self-assessment (TOSCA) and enhance their national capability;
• Enhance networking of stakeholders with TSOs notably to foster international collaboration.

Target Audience

• Conference participants, senior government officials, staff from TSOs, regulators, industry and other stakeholders, as well as technical and scientific experts working in all areas of regulatory functions;
• young professionals, students, youth; and,
• the general public, media, NGOs, and academics.

Exhibitions

In addition to the TSO Café, a limited amount of space will be available for displays/exhibits during the conference. Interested parties should contact the Scientific Secretariat by email TSO-2024@iaea.org by 29 April 2024.

The TSO Café provides the time and space for networking and exchange among the participants of the conference. Following the idea of a market place, each TSO has its own booth (café) and all merge into one big TSO Café. In a relaxed and comfortable atmosphere the visitors stroll along and experts representing their TSOs are open for questions and talks at the booths, where, besides technical information, culinary specialties from the TSO’s countries are being offered. It is the perfect place and time to learn more about the TSOs and get to know experts from all over the world.