MINSK, 26 August (BelTA) – A national plan on fulfilling proposals and recommendations presented by the International Atomic Energy Agency's latest Integrated Nuclear Infrastructure Review (INIR 3) mission is in development in Belarus, the press service of the Belarusian Energy Ministry told BelTA.
The IAEA mission worked in Belarus in March 2020. A report to highlight results of the work is publicly available on the agency's website, which demonstrates Belarus' openness in matters of implementation of the national nuclear energy program. Work is in progress to draft the national plan on fulfilling the mission's proposals and recommendations.
The Energy Ministry added that Belarus is dedicated to advancing partnership with the International Atomic Energy Agency across the board. The IAEA is a respected international organization that provides consultative and expert assistance to Belarus in addition to guidance and technical aid with the implementation of the national nuclear energy program, including in matters concerning the development of the legislation in the area of nuclear energy, energy planning, personnel training, and other areas.
In 2012-2020 Belarus welcomed key IAEA missions, which are recommended for countries that are building their first nuclear power plant. The missions focused on evaluating the national nuclear energy infrastructure and the regulatory framework, the construction site taking into account external impacts, preparedness for emergencies and response, inventorying and control of nuclear materials, analysis of operational safety. IAEA experts have repeatedly confirmed the safety of the Belarusian nuclear power plant. Their recommendations and proposals were taken into account in the course of development of national programs and plans relating to the construction of the Belarusian nuclear power plant.
Apart from that, Belarus has decided to invite an IAEA mission to evaluate the security of nuclear materials. The relevant invitation has been sent to the IAEA secretariat.
Belarus has been a member of the International Atomic Energy Agency since the agency's inception – 29 July 1957. The country has been a member of the IAEA Board of Governors three times. The Belarusian nuclear power plant has been presenting an exposition of its own during IAEA general conferences every year since 2015.
