IAEA Launches a New Series of Topical Webinars on Nuclear Law

Building on last year’s series of interactive webinars, the IAEA is launching a new series of webinars focused on topical issues in nuclear law. Starting on 28 October 2021, the first webinar will introduce the series and provide an update on nuclear law.

“Given the ongoing challenges of the global pandemic and travel disruptions, we continue to support Member States, upon request, through virtual national and regional workshops, as well as virtual bilateral discussions on draft legislation,” said Peri Lynne Johnson, IAEA Legal Adviser and Director of the IAEA Office of Legal Affairs. “This new series builds on last year’s series by providing a deeper perspective of topical nuclear law issues, such as openness and transparency, SMRs (small modular reactors) and nuclear law, as well as radioactive sources and liability for damage.”

This new webinar series is open to government officials with a policy, legal, regulatory or technical background from all IAEA Member States. It will be particularly beneficial for officials from countries participating in the IAEA Technical Cooperation Programme that are not party to some or all of the relevant international legal instruments adopted by or under the auspices of the Agency.

The series, which is being implemented within the framework of the IAEA Legislative Assistance Programme, will also benefit countries in the process of strengthening their existing national nuclear legislative frameworks.

The assistance programme creates awareness among IAEA Member States of the international instruments in the nuclear field and assists them in complying with their international obligations and commitments, as well as with the drafting of corresponding national nuclear legislation. Further to the postponement of the annual Nuclear Law Institute, this new webinar series serves as an online alternative.

Last year’s series, held from October to December, comprised nine webinars and was divided into three parts. The series covered the four main branches of international and national nuclear law: safety, security, safeguards and civil liability for nuclear damage. Government officials from over 100 countries attended the series, which amassed over 2500 streams. Following the series and in response to interest from various groups, including industry, law firms, civil society and academia, a public Webinar on Nuclear Law in Practice – the IAEA Perspective attracted more than 500 participants from 90 countries.

More details and registration for the webinar series is available here. The schedule of the webinar series is provided below.