The IAEA has launched a new Regulatory Infrastructure Development Project for Asia and the Pacific as part of its efforts to strengthen radiation safety and nuclear security in the region.
Building on the success of ongoing Regulatory Infrastructure Development Projects (RIDPs) in Africa, the Caribbean and Latin America, the new RIDP for Asia and the Pacific kicked off in December 2024 with a week-long meeting in Vienna attended by 32 participants from 17 countries, including the Solomon Islands and Timor-Leste, which are not IAEA Member States. Their discussions resulted in a draft workplan which will inform the project's implementation and ensure effective and tailored support to participating countries.
"This project marks a significant milestone in our joint efforts to support the development of robust and sustainable radiation safety and nuclear security infrastructure in the region," said Lydie Evrard, IAEA Deputy Director General and Head of the Department of Nuclear Safety and Security. "The valuable experience from RIDP projects implemented in this field will help strengthen the project's objectives among stakeholders, including senior national policymakers."
The main stakeholders and beneficiaries in the countries participating in this multidisciplinary project are national officials with regulatory responsibilities for radiation safety and the security of radioactive material. The attendees had the opportunity to actively engage with IAEA experts, donors and partners supporting this new RIDP.
During bilateral sessions, national needs related to national regulatory infrastructures for radiation safety and nuclear security of radioactive material were identified. Numerous discussions throughout the week provided opportunities to explore ways to build a culture of nuclear safety and security and to identify regional challenges and opportunities for regulators.
The governments of Australia, Canada and the United States of America provide financial support to the RIDP focusing on the Asia and the Pacific region, while other countries have expressed interest in supporting the implementation of project activities such as training and workshops.
During the meeting, the IAEA presented detailed examples of tools and resources available to countries interested in establishing or strengthening national regulatory infrastructure based on IAEA safety standards and nuclear security guidance. These included the IAEA Advisory Mission on Regulatory Infrastructure for Radiation Safety and Nuclear Security, which is designed to be modular and easily tailored to the country's needs; the new regulatory authority information system RAIS+ and the Integrated Nuclear Security Sustainability Plan mechanism.
"Fiji is now more aware of available tools, networks and the different platforms to refer to for assistance," said Vakaoca Kedrayate, National Liaison Assistant and project counterpart for Fiji. "Through these, a fit-for-purpose regulatory infrastructure for Fiji will serve our objectives as it manages current and emerging challenges." She said the new RIDP was a "peer mentoring opportunity, which gives us the chance to learn from our partners' experiences, lessons and insights as we work on our regulatory infrastructures."
RIDP: a success story
Regulatory Infrastructure Development Projects are consistently recognized as successful, cross-cutting projects supporting countries in establishing or enhancing national regulatory infrastructure for radiation safety and the security of radioactive material. They also contribute to the United Nations sustainable development goals (SDGs), especially SDG 3 on good health and well-being, SDG 4 on quality education and SDG 9 on industry, innovation and infrastructure.
In 2024, 72 countries in Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean participated in RIDPs, and an IAEA survey of participating countries confirms the positive outcomes. Specifically, in Africa, under RIDP auspices, two countries established a regulatory body; three countries adopted new regulations; 16 countries received comprehensive training for staff in their regulatory bodies; and three countries established authorization and inspection processes.
Similar impact has been recorded in Latin America, where the second phase of the project is nearing completion. According to an IAEA survey in the region that achieved a 73 per cent response rate with participation by 11 countries. Almost 78 per cent of the respondents reported having fully or significantly enhanced their national regulatory infrastructure. About 67 per cent rated the support provided by the IAEA and the RIDP as 'very effective,' and 33 per cent as 'effective'. A total of 70 per cent of participating countries reported having developed or reviewed procedures for authorization, safety and security assessment, inspection and regulatory enforcement.
