Nuclear law plays an important role in enabling countries to realise the benefits of the safe, secure and peaceful uses of nuclear science and technology – benefits that can help to address the challenges posed by climate change and to meet development objectives in energy, human health, food production and beyond.
Two virtual workshops on nuclear law, held in October and December 2021, provided diplomats and officials from permanent missions located in Berlin, Brussels, Geneva, Paris and New York with a high-level overview of international and national nuclear law and the IAEA’s role in the development and implementation of nuclear law including assistance provided through the Legislative Assistance Programme. A total of 110 diplomats and officials from 57 countries participated in the workshop on 19 October and 8 December.
Komi Bayedze Dagoh, Ambassador and Resident Representative to the IAEA of the Permanent Mission of Togo in Berlin said: “Togo has previously benefited from IAEA legislative assistance leading to the successful enactment in June 2020 of our law on the safe, secure and peaceful uses of nuclear energy and the review of the decrees establishing the regulatory body and the National Atomic Energy Commission. Looking forward, we are also interested in receiving an awareness mission by the Office of Legal Affairs on the international legal instruments.”
Morlette Johnson, Chief Counsel in the Office of the Attorney-General and Ministry of Legal Affairs of the Bahamas, said, “We are currently developing a draft comprehensive nuclear law governing the safe and secure uses of ionizing radiation and nuclear technologies. In this context, we aim to benefit from the Legislative Assistance Programme, through bilateral drafting assistance and awareness raising for senior officials, as well as training at the IAEA Nuclear Law Institute.”
Karlito Nunes, Permanent Representative of Timor-Leste to the United Nations in New York commented: “As a non-Member State of the IAEA, the event was helpful to us in furthering our understanding of the Agency’s role in this field and the importance of having a comprehensive and robust legal framework in the areas of nuclear safety, security, safeguards and liability, particularly given the number and the complexity of the existing instruments.”
The two events also provided opportunities for attendees to share their experience of the Legislative Assistance Programme. Randall Sheppard, Assistant Solicitor General of Belize gave a presentation on his country's experience leading to the adoption of the Radiation Safety and Security Act in October 2020. “The Legislative Assistance Programme played a particularly important role in assisting Belize to develop its national nuclear legal framework, including, through training, expert missions and legislative drafting assistance both in-person and virtually.”
In addition, Nancy Pogla, Legal Officer at Papua New Guinea’s Department of Justice and Attorney General highlighted the positive impact the Programme has had in supporting the development of her country’s Radiation Safety and Control Act, passed in January 2019.
Reflecting on the events, Peri Lynne Johnson, IAEA Legal Adviser and Director of the Office of Legal Affairs, said: “While IAEA had over the years conducted several outreach activities for diplomats based in Vienna, this was the first time we organized dedicated activities for those located outside of our Headquarters. The IAEA plays a key role, not only in supporting states to join the instruments, but also in their effective implementation through establishing and strengthening comprehensive national legal frameworks.”
The Legislative Assistance Programme played a particularly important role in assisting Belize to develop its national nuclear legal framework, including, through training, expert missions and legislative drafting assistance both in-person and virtually.
