RACVIAC – Centre for Security Cooperation, in cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and the Republic of Croatia, has organized the second workshop in a series of three workshops launched in 2022.
This workshop is being held from 24 to 28 April 2023 and covers an integrated planning process for designing the parts of a state’s nuclear security regime that relate to material out of regulatory control (MORC). It is meant to build on the workshop on the risk informed approach for MORC and/or Member States with an existing capability in that area.
Cooperation between RACVIAC and IAEA that started in 2016 with a series of regional workshops on nuclear security detection architecture (NSDA) is continuing with the same goals – promoting nuclear security detection architecture principles and concepts – all for the purpose of raising awareness and providing partner nations with the knowledge and tools to develop, implement, and sustain indigenous national level detection capabilities.
Mr Josip Mandić, Programme Leader for C-WMD Network, opened the workshop on behalf of RACVIAC Director, MG (rt.) Jeronim Bazo. He stressed that South East Europe is a region with diverse security challenges, including the risk of illicit trafficking of nuclear and other radioactive materials, the possibility of terrorist attacks on nuclear facilities, and the threat of cyber attacks on critical infrastructure and, therefore, it is essential to develop and implement robust and sustainable nuclear security systems and measures to mitigate these risks. He used the opportunity to express RACVIAC gratefulness to its long-standing partner, IAEA, for supporting a shared vision and providing it with their valuable expertise. “We firmly hope that this workshop will further empower our cooperation and common understanding between our organizations”, he concluded.
Mr Mirza Mohamed, IAEA, gave a speech during the Opening Ceremony in which he emphasized: “It is essential that both nuclear and other materials out of regulatory control and the facilities in which they are held are managed in a safe manner”. He also emphasized good cooperation with RACVIAC and wished all the participants a fruitful workshop.
The Workshop has gathered representatives from competent authorities who are involved in developing and facilitating the approval of the NSDA design plan from Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, North Macedonia, Serbia and Kosovo*.
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* This designation is without prejudice to positions on status, and is in line with UNSCR 1244 and the ICJ Opinion on the Kosovo Declaration of Independence. (In accordance with Arrangements regarding regional representation and cooperation.)
