ML14349A121
| ML14349A121 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Issue date: | 12/15/2014 |
| From: | Mugeh Afshar-Tous, Andrea Jones NRC/OIP |
| To: | |
| Jones A -- 415-2309 | |
| References | |
| NRC-2018-000095, NRC-2018-000103 | |
| Download: ML14349A121 (2) | |
Text
Official Use Only - Sensitive Internal Information Official Use Only - Sensitive Internal Information THE U.S. NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL TRIP REPORT Traveler, Office, Division, Phone Number:
Andrea Jones, Office of International Programs, International Cooperation and Assistance Branch, 301-415-2309 Mugeh Afshar-Tous, Office of International Programs, International Cooperation & Assistance Branch, 301-415-6899
Subject:
International Atomic Energy Agency Global Nuclear Safety and Security Network Coordination Meeting Dates of Travel and Countries/Organizations Visited:
November 15-17, 2014 Desired Outcome:
Enhance relationships between the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) and its regulatory counterparts in Asia, Africa, and Arab countries.
Increase knowledge of capacity building efforts in Asia, Africa, and Arab countries.
Share information on NRCs international assistance activities, specific to Asia, Africa, and Arab countries.
Results Achieved:
Information was shared on NRCs assistance activities, including participating countries, workshops, and courses offered, strategic goals and future assistance activities.
Summary of Trip:
The Global Nuclear Safety and Security Network (GNSSN) launched in 2007, and has evolved into a platform for sharing information on nuclear safety and security knowledge.
Representatives from Italy, Egypt, South Africa, Canada, Korea, Nigeria, Japan, and the United States; as well as international organizations such as the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), the Forum of Nuclear Regulatory Bodies in Africa (FNRBA), Arab Atomic Energy Agency (ANNuR), Korean Institute of Nuclear Safety (KINS), and the Arab Atomic Energy Agency (AAEA) participated in the two day meeting.
The Deputy Director General of the IAEA, Mr. Denis Flory, opened the meeting with an official welcome to the meeting participants. The opening was followed by an overview of GNSSN activities. Representatives from the NRC, KINS, Argonne National Laboratory, Societ Gestione Impianti Nucleari (SOGIN), and the Italian Istituto Superiore Per La Protezione e la Ricerca Ambientale presented overviews of priority areas and international cooperation. In the
Official Use Only - Sensitive Internal Information Official Use Only - Sensitive Internal Information recent past, organizations offered assistance to emerging countries, as well as mature regulatory countries, on various regulatory and technical matters. Ms. Andrea Jones from the NRCs Office of International Programs gave a presentation entitled, Overview of NRCs International Assistance Activities. The presentation covered bilateral Arrangements for Technical Exchange and Cooperation, NRC assistance partnerships that support regulatory program development, as well as NRCs current and projected plans for assistance activities.
During the NRC presentation, several questions were asked on how to direct requests for courses provided by NRCs contractor for assistance activities, AdSTM; whether courses could be tailored according to the requesting countrys individual needs; and whether the NRC has executed a regulatory agreement to implement activities with its assistance partners (i.e.
International Regulatory Development Partnership and Radiation Sources Regulatory Partnerships). The international organizations SOGIN, ANNuR, and FNRBA, presented progress reports and regional priority for 2015.
The second day of the meeting provided a platform for countries to present regional challenges in areas such as radiation safety, emerging country challenges, capacity building, and emergency preparedness. IAEA directorates provided progress activities on European Commission activities, research reactor safety, and transport safety. It was noted by the NRC that a research test reactor radiation safety workshop is being considered as an additional area for assistance activities. It was also noted that most African nations need workshops on enhancing physical security and basic radiation safety.
As the GNSSN meeting came to a close, it was apparent that more time could have been spent on planning 2015 workshops or courses for participating regions. It was noted by the meeting organizers that as the end of 2014 is imminent, these planning activities should have been planned earlier in the year.
Pending Actions/Planned Next Steps for the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission:
Follow-up with representatives from FNRBA, ANNuR, and AAEA on specific workshops was requested. Communicate this information to Jack Ramsey, Senior Level Advisor for International Nuclear Safety Assistance Activities for consideration and planning purposes.
Points for Commission Consideration/Interest:
This workshop is commensurate with the NRCs 5-year strategy which encourages global nuclear safety by continuing to build on existing cooperative relationships and foster new ones.