Countries to provide US$ 20 million to IAEA Nuclear Security Fund

At the conclusion of the IAEA’s International Conference on Nuclear Security: Sustaining and Strengthening Efforts (ICONS2020), countries announced or confirmed a total of more than US $20 Million to the IAEA Nuclear Security Fund (NSF), as they reaffirmed their commitment to sustaining and strengthening nuclear security globally.

“The flow of cooperation and assistance from the Member States is growing,” said IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi in his closing remarks. “The pledges of contribution to the NSF is an indication of the political commitment, [as well as of the] seriousness of the mission and the gravity of the challenges.”

The IAEA’s nuclear security programme, including assistance provided to countries upon request, is supported by Member States’ voluntary contributions to the Nuclear Security Fund.

The high-level panels reinforced the role of the IAEA in information exchange, noted the importance of having funds to meet nuclear security activities and highlighted the coordination of technical support to Member States. Speakers on the Emerging Technologies and the Digital Age panel outlined the role of the IAEA in exploring both the use of new technologies such as drones and artificial intelligence for nuclear security, and also the potential threats they could cause to nuclear and other radioactive materials, activities and facilities.

In the technical sessions, participants discussed ways in which nuclear security responds to the evolving nuclear threat environment. Participants of the technical session Addressing Security from the Start stressed that sustainability of nuclear security systems and measures is enhanced if nuclear security is integrated at the earliest stages of facility and equipment design. Human resource development was also highlighted as an essential element because unavailability of competent and motivated staff entails significant nuclear security risks; and comprehensive human resource development, including a systematic training, is essential for establishing and sustaining nuclear security regimes.

Original source: IAEA
Published on 17 February 2020