IAEA hosts nuclear law program for member states

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) is currently hosting their Nuclear Law Institute Program over a two week period, the group announced on Wednesday.

This course has 63 legal professionals from 51 member states of the IAEA. This course focuses on the establishment and improvement of nuclear legal frameworks that ensure safety, nuclear verification and security.

Over the course, participants will be covering and discussing multilateral treaties in which the IAEA is a depositary including the Convention on Early Notification of a Nuclear Accident, the Convention on Supplementary Compensation for Nuclear Damage. According to the IAEA, many member states are currently in the process of adapting and revising their legislation to meet international legal requirements.

“With a growing number of international instruments and their increasing complexity, requests for assistance by member states in the area of nuclear law are on the rise,” Head of IAEA's Nuclear and Treaty Law section, Wolfram Tonhauser, said.

Attendees will be given hands-on work in drafting, reviewing and amending nuclear legislation. For some, the course offers the latest information regarding legal treaties and safety standards.

“It is vital to have comprehensive nuclear laws in place that are in compliance with international legal treaties and protocols,” IAEA Office of Legal Affairs Legal Advisor and Director Peri Johnson said.