Technical Working Group on Decommissioning and Environmental Remediation (TWG-D&ER)

Background

Scope

The following technical areas are within the Scope of the TWG-D&ER:

• Planning and preparation for decommissioning of nuclear facilities and remediation of contaminated sites;
• Cost estimation and funding arrangements for nuclear decommissioning and environmental remediation;
• Leadership and management issues for implementation of nuclear decommissioning and environmental remediation projects;
• Project management and contracting mode ls for decommissioning of nuclear facilities and remediation of contaminated sites;
• Regulator-operator interface for decommissioning of nuclear facilities andremediation of contaminated sites
• Transition from operation to decommissioning of nuclear facilities;
• Human resources development for nuclear decommissioning and environmental remediation;
• Advanced and innovative technologies for nuclear decommissioning and environmental remediation;
• Decommissioning-by-design approach;
• Implementation of decommissioning under post-accidental conditions;
• Capacity building for decommissioning and environmental remediation;
• Decommissioning in the light of sustainability and circular economy principles;
• Environmental management concept for U and NORM industries;
• International cooperation and networking to advance decommissioning and environmental remediation programmes;
• Stakeholders involvement in decommissioning of nuclear facilities and remediation of contaminated sites.

Functions

The functions of the TWG are the following:

• To provide advice to DDGwNE on specific topics of relevance to the IAEA's programmatic activities;
• To share information and knowledge on national and international programmes;
• To contribute to the development and/or review of selected JAEA publications, in particular from the IAEA Nuclear Eilergy Series, assess existing gaps and advise on the preparation of new publications ore-learning materials;
• Upon request, to present to the Standing Adviso,y Group on Nuclear Energy (SAGNE) the key findings of the TWG meeting; and
• To share experience and advice on increasing the part1c1pation of young professionals and improving the gender balance in the nuclear sector.

Membership

1. Members of the TWG shall be subject matter experts who work in the areas within the Scope of the TWG and possess strong links with national and international technical and professional networks in their area of expertise.

2. DDG-NE appoints, in consultation with DDG-NA and DDG-NS, Members in their individual capacity following their endorsement by their respective Member State(s). Members shall be appointed taking into account geographical distribution and gender balance. In addition, to the extent feasible, a fair distribution of Members shall be sought from among countries at different stages of development and utilization of nuclear technologies. When justified, up to two TWG Members from the same country may be appointed.

3. International Organizations (IOs); may be invited by DDG-NE, in consultation with DDG-NA and DDG-NS, to designate experts to participate in the TWG as Observers' Observers shall participate in their capacity as official representatives of their respective Organizations.

4. The term of a TWG is four years, which may be renewed multiple times, without limitation, by DDG-NE, in consultation with DDG-NA and DDG-NS. Members/Observers are appointed for the term (or any remaining portion thereof) and may serve for a maximum of two consecutive terms.

5. Members may propose one Technical Advisor from his/her Member State to assist and advise him/her for a specific TWG meeting. The participation of Technical Advisors is approved by DDG-NE, who shall invite Technical Advisors to attend the specific TWG meeting, subject to the endorsement of the respective Member State

6. Members of the TWG shall partake in the discussions and deliberations of the TWG and shall actively contribute to the formulation of recommendations, in line with the TWG's advisory functions. Observers and Technical Advisors may partake in the discussions of the TWG and provide their subject matter expertise; however, they shall not partake in the formulation of recommendations or in the decision-making process of the TWG.

7. The total number of Members of a TWG shall not exceed 20.

Term Duration

4 years, 2021-2024