MINSK, 27 October (BelTA) – The CIS is planning to set up an association of nuclear energy regulatory authorities and the organizations providing scientific and technical support. The draft memorandum to set up the association was approved at the 21st meeting of the CIS commission on peaceful uses of nuclear energy, which was held via a video link under the chairmanship of the head of the of the commission, Belarus' Deputy Energy Minister Mikhail Mikhadyuk, BelTA learned from the press service of the Energy Ministry.
The initiative to set up the association was put forward earlier by Belarus.
The new association is expected to promote cooperation in the regulation of nuclear and radiation safety in the CIS, to provide expertise support in improving the system of regulation and legislation, to strengthen ties between the organizations providing scientific and technical support.
“The initiative is very important, especially for the newcomer countries that are implementing their first nuclear programs. There are such associations in Europe, and they have proved their worth, including in the international arena,” Mikhail Mikhadyuk said. “This format of cooperation within the CIS will help us expand the partnership and coordinate the work of the regulators.”
For her part, Olga Lugovskaya, Head of the Nuclear and Radiation Safety Department of the Belarusian Emergencies Ministry (Gosatomnadzor), added that the association will provide an opportunity to build the work on experience exchange more effectively, including in terms of the development of regulatory requirements in nuclear and radiation safety, methods of inspections of nuclear power plant sites, and safety tests. Issues regarding regulation of radioactive waste management, training of personnel for regulators and others are also important.
The commission considered the results of the CIS framework program for cooperation in peaceful uses of atomic energy "COOPERATION ATOM-CIS" and the interstate target program "Re-reclamation of the territories affected by uranium mining production."
The commission also reviewed the work of the CIS base organization on the management of spent nuclear fuel, radioactive waste and decommissioning of nuclear and radiation-hazardous facilities. It was noted that the experts of the commission's international working groups have drafted the new documents that will determine its further activities - the CIS framework program for cooperation in peaceful uses of atomic energy until 2030 and the plan of measures to implement this framework cooperation program for the period of 2021-2025. It is expected that these documents will be adopted by the CIS Council of Heads of Government at a meeting in November this year.
