The IAEA invites Member States to participate in the next ConvEx-3, the IAEA's highest level and most complex emergency exercise. Hosted by Romania on 14 and 15 May 2025, this major exercise will simulate a severe nuclear emergency at the Cernavoda Nuclear Power Plant, offering a unique opportunity to test and strengthen global preparedness and response mechanisms.
"ConvEx-3 is not just an exercise, it is a call to action," said Lydie Evrard, IAEA Deputy Director General and Head of the Department of Nuclear Safety and Security. "By participating, Member States and international organizations demonstrate their commitment to global nuclear safety and security, ensuring that the international community is ready to respond to nuclear and radiological emergencies, no matter where they occur and regardless of their cause."
Level 3 Convention exercises, or ConvEx-3 exercises, are a cornerstone of the IAEA's efforts to enhance global nuclear safety and security. As part of their obligations under the Convention on Early Notification of a Nuclear Accident and the Convention on Assistance in the Case of a Nuclear Accident or Radiological Emergency, Member States are required to have emergency arrangements in place. These arrangements are tested every three to five years with an exercise held in one country which provides participating countries with a rare opportunity to evaluate and improve their emergency response arrangements in realistic conditions. Participants test national capabilities, engage in coordinated international responses and strengthen regional collaboration.
Emergency responders in the IAEA's Incident and Emergency Centre respond to a simulated nuclear accident during a ConvEx exercise at IAEA headquarters in Vienna, Austria, in June 2024. (Photo: Y. Han/IAEA)
Previous ConvEx-3 exercises have been hosted by the United Arab Emirates (2021), Hungary (2017), Morocco (2013) and Mexico (2008). Romania hosted the first ConvEx-3 exercise in 2005.
"Now, two decades later, in 2025, Romania will once again host ConvEx-3, reaffirming its readiness to tackle the most demanding scenarios," said Cantemir Ciurea Ercau, President of Romania's National Commission for Nuclear Activities Control. "Through increased complexity and scale, this event is not only a natural continuation, but a showcase of the remarkable progress made in recent decades in nuclear safety and security, emergency preparedness and response and global cooperation."
"By hosting such an exercise of great importance," he added, "Romania strengthens its position as significant contributor in enhancing global nuclear safety and security."
Unique Elements of ConvEx-3 in 2025
This year's ConvEx-3 exercise introduces three new elements to enhance preparedness and response capabilities. First, recognizing the transboundary impacts of nuclear or radiological accidents, significant focus is placed on regional collaboration. This includes harmonizing protective measures, such as evacuation zones and iodine distribution, across borders to ensure consistent, effective actions and to build public trust.
Second, the exercise integrates a nuclear security component, simulating threats to regulatory control, physical protection and computer security in a realistic setting. This approach features collaboration among participating countries and international organizations to counter threats to the secure use of nuclear and other radioactive material.
Finally, a more integrated method for planning, conducting and evaluating the exercise will be used. This includes an expanded social media simulator, which challenges participants to manage real-time crisis communication to test the public communication strategies of participating organizations.
To ensure that the knowledge gained during ConvEx-3 has a lasting impact on national and international emergency arrangements, the exercise will be followed by a technical meeting that will provide a forum for sharing lessons learned, discussing best practices and identifying actionable improvements.
Official contact points registered on the IAEA's USIE platform are invited to submit their country's registration form to participate in this exercise by 31 January 2025.
