What's ahead for the IAEA and the global nuclear agenda in 2021? Here is a preview of selected meetings and events – both online and physical:
February
The IAEA will hold virtually its third International Conference on Advances in Radiation Oncology (ICARO-3) from 16 to 19 February. The conference will give health care professionals an opportunity to review the current developments in clinical applications in radiation oncology, radiation biology and medical physics, and help them address challenges in cancer management.
March
The IAEA Board’s meeting will commence on 1 March in Vienna.
May
The 28th IAEA Fusion Energy Conference (FEC2020), rescheduled from last year, aims to serve as a platform for sharing the results of research and development efforts in both national and international fusion experiments that have been shaped by new priorities, and to help in pinpointing worldwide advances in fusion theory, experiments, technology, engineering, safety and socio-economics. The conference will be held virtually from 10 to 15 May.
June
The summer meeting of the Board of Governors will start on 7 June.
A virtual symposium, organized in cooperation with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), will provide information and share knowledge on modern and novel technologies in animal production and health, and their application to support sustainable livestock production systems. Participants will discuss constraints, opportunities and advantages related to the effective transfer of nuclear and nuclear derived/related technologies.
July
The Review Conference of the Parties to the Amendment to the Convention on the Physical Protection of Nuclear Material (CPPNM) is scheduled to be held from 5 to 9 July in Vienna. Participants will have the opportunity to share experiences and lessons learned in order to strengthen the protection of nuclear material and facilities against theft or sabotage.
August
The International Conference on Operational Safety of Nuclear Power Plants will foster the exchange of information and experiences related to enhancing nuclear power plants’ operational safety during commissioning, start-up and operation. Participants will include representatives of new and existing nuclear operators, regulators, technical support organizations, construction companies and other relevant organizations. The conference will be held from 30 August to 3 September in Beijing, China.
September
The IAEA General Conference will commence in Vienna on 20 September. Its programme will again include a Scientific Forum on 21-22 September, and the IAEA Board will meet both before and after the General Conference from 13 to 17 September and again on 27 September.
October
The International Conference on the Development of Preparedness for National and International Emergency Response (EPR2021) will foster the exchange of information and enhance global awareness of various topics in emergency preparedness and response (EPR) by discussing progress made at national and international levels as well as challenges, by sharing experiences, by evaluating current trends, technologies and lessons in EPR and by identifying key priorities in further improving readiness for nuclear and radiological incidents and emergencies that may arise due to an accident, a natural disaster, negligence, a nuclear security event or any other cause.
November
The International Conference on Radioactive Waste Management will highlight the effectiveness of radioactive waste management techniques and technologies and will contribute to promoting the adoption of good practices and well-integrated approaches for the future. The conference is aimed at senior government officials, high-level staff from waste management organizations, regulators, waste producers and other stakeholders, as well as technical and scientific experts working in all areas of radioactive waste management.
The International Conference on a Decade of Progress after Fukushima-Daiichi will focus on looking back on the lessons learned, experiences shared, results and achievements from actions undertaken by national, regional and international communities following the accident and identifying ways to further strengthen nuclear safety.
The IAEA Board’s Technical Assistance and Cooperation Committee will meet starting 22 November. The IAEA Board will convene on 24 November.
The last conference of 2021 is the International Conference on the Safe and Secure Transport of Nuclear and Radioactive Materials. It will provide an opportunity for participants to discuss and share good practices of their transport safety and security regimes, the interface between each, and the challenges they face in the context of international instruments, IAEA safety requirements and IAEA security recommendations.
A previous version of this article included the International Ministerial Conference on Nuclear Power in the 21st Century, which was going to be held in Washington, D.C., United States, from 18 to 20 October 2021. This Conference has been rescheduled to 2022. More information.
