International Conference on Nuclear Security in Vienna: Member States of IAEA reaffirm joint commitment

Two thousand experts from 130 countries attended the event of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) held in Vienna on 20-24 May 2024 with the aim of reaffirming the joint commitment to strengthen nuclear security. The objective of nuclear security is to prevent, detect and respond to the malicious activities of terrorists or other groups which aim to obtain nuclear or other radioactive materials or to sabotage related technologies. The conference was attended by the delegation of the Hungarian Atomic Energy Authority.

The International Conference on Nuclear Security (ICONS) organized by the IAEA is one of the key international events on nuclear security. This year’s spring conference was significant in the sense that its results shall be utilized in the preparation of the Nuclear Security Plan of IAEA for the period of 2026-2029. The event consisted of two main parts: a ministerial segment and a scientific and technical program.

Australia and Kazakhstan, the co-presidents of ICONS, issued a joint declaration to enhance global nuclear security and to combat the threat of nuclear terrorism. In the declaration they reaffirmed their commitment to non-proliferation, nuclear disarmament and the peaceful use of nuclear energy, also recognizing that nuclear security is a fundamental contribution to international peace and security. Hungary, along with several other Member States, joined the declaration.

The Hungarian delegation was led by Andrea Beatrix Kádár, President of the Hungarian Atomic Energy Authority. In her speech the President emphasized the commitment of Hungary to maintaining a high level of nuclear security. The President highlighted the importance of IAEA’s support activities in the field of nuclear security and demonstrated the results achieved by Hungary in the field of physical protection in recent years.

The delegation of the HAEA also held a bilateral meeting with Christopher T. Hanson, the chair of the U.S Nuclear Regulatory Commission to discuss lessons learned in regulatory oversight of the construction of the new units and in the life extension of operating units. HAEA delegation members also actively participated in the scientific part of the conference. Section titled "Safety Meets Security to Ensure a Safe and Secure Future", which focused primarily on the cooperation between nuclear security and safety areas, was chaired by Head of Department Zsolt Stefánka.

HAEA also prepared a short summary presenting to the participants the experience of organizing and executing the first domestic performance-based so-called „Force-on-Force” exercise. Performance-based physical protection exercises are special in the sense that engagements between response forces and adversaries, as well as their effects can be directly investigated through the use of simulation tools. On the basis of an article published by the HAEA, Armand Viplak, Head of Section, provided information to interested participants.