Belarus' nuclear safety regulatory infrastructure experience presented at IAEA General Conference

MINSK, 24 September (BelTA) – Head of the Nuclear and Radiation Safety Department of the Belarusian Emergencies Ministry (Gosatomnadzor) Olga Lugovskaya has made a presentation about Belarus' experience of developing the regulatory infrastructure of nuclear and radiation safety and the use of international cooperation tools for it. The presentation took place during the plenary session of the Regulatory Cooperation Forum (RCF). The videoconference plenary session was held on the final day of the 65th session of the General Conference of the International Atomic Energy Agency, BelTA has learned.

In line with the program participants of the plenary session discussed the realization of the RCF's strategic plan, tools and projects of the International Atomic Energy Agency and the European Union for supporting novice countries in the area of nuclear energy. The experience of development of the regulatory infrastructure in Belarus and the United Arab Emirates was discussed.

Olga Lugovskaya described the current state of the Belarusian nuclear energy program, the development of legislation in the area of nuclear and radiation safety, licensing and oversight procedures with regard to the Belarusian nuclear power plant, the development of Gosatomnadzor's integrated management system, and other matters.

Olga Lugovskaya mentioned the large-scale use of international cooperation tools for developing Belarus' regulatory infrastructure, including bilateral cooperation with regulatory authorities of other countries, primarily with the Federal Environmental, Industrial and Nuclear Supervision Service of Russia (Rostechnadzor). She also talked about international technical cooperation projects of the International Atomic Energy Agency and the European Union, Gosatomnadzor's participation in the work of international associations of regulatory authorities, the voluntary invitation of international evaluation missions and peer review missions to Belarus.

In conclusion Olga Lugovskaya thanked the Regulatory Cooperation Forum for continued support and the systemic approach to organizing cooperation between aid donors and aid recipients. “We use various international cooperation tools. Their coordinated management and application for improving Belarus' regulatory infrastructure are truly important for us. The Regulatory Cooperation Forum is a good platform for reaching this goal and for finding the necessary support,” she noted.

The Regulatory Cooperation Forum (RCF) was established in 2010 in response to the IAEA member states' need for a platform for coordinating the assistance provided by countries with a well-developed nuclear industry for building the regulatory infrastructure in the countries, which intend or are about to begin their own nuclear programs. The RCF comprises about 30 countries. Belarus joined the organization in 2012 and is one of the countries that receive the RCF's aid.