Plans to set up nuclear security center in Belarus

MINSK, 21 September (BelTA) – There are plans to set up a nuclear security center in Belarus. Belarusian Energy Minister Viktor Karankevich mentioned it during the plenary session of the 65th session of the General Conference of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in Vienna, Austria, BelTA has learned.

The project is designed to bolster the national nuclear security regime and contribute to enhancing nuclear security at the regional level and the global one. “We will be grateful to the International Atomic Energy Agency for support with realizing these plans,” Viktor Karankevich said.

The official added that the Belarusian nuclear power plant construction project is in the final stage. The commercial operation of the first unit of the nuclear power plant began in June 2021. The commercial operation of the second unit is supposed to begin in 2022.

The energy minister said: “Belarus takes the necessary measures to ensure the safety and security of the nuclear power plant in an open, responsible manner and via interaction with all the interested partners, primarily the International Atomic Energy Agency. Safety above all has virtually become the motto of the Belarusian nuclear power plant.”

Belarus has hosted all the key International Atomic Energy Agency missions, which are recommended for countries building their first nuclear power plant. Recommendations and proposals of the experts represent an important guideline for implementing the national nuclear energy program.

Belarus' experience indicates that the International Atomic Energy Agency's tools and services, which are meant to support the countries that develop nuclear energy industry, provide concrete practical benefits. “We openly share the accumulated experience as well as achievements of Belarusian nuclear science with other countries,” Viktor Karankevich added.

In his speech Viktor Karankevich added that Belarus welcomes all the International Atomic Energy Agency flagship initiatives in the sphere of using nuclear technologies for fighting infectious diseases and fighting plastic environmental pollution. Belarus supports the program on technical cooperation for the next two-year cycle. “Focus on the development of nuclear technologies for many countries of the world is a guarantee of stronger energy independence, economic growth, and improvement of living standards of the population. The growing number of IAEA member states is a testimony to that,” he said.