To raise awareness of a growing global security concern, the IAEA is organizing an International Conference on Security of Radioactive Sources on 11-13 March in the Hofburg Congress Centre in Vienna. The conference will bring together over 600 experts from more than 110 countries involved in promoting the security and safety of radioactive sources, including from the fields of radiation safety, law enforcement, customs and border control.
Radioactive sources are abundant and are extensively used around the world in a wide range of medical, industrial, agricultural and research applications. Some sources contain relatively large amounts of radioactive material that could potentially be used for malevolent purposes. The possibility that terrorists might attempt to use radioactive materials for malevolent purposes has raised questions about the adequacy of the security of radioactive sources.
The scope of the conference will include:
? General background of the nature and extent of the potential threat posed by radioactive sources.
? Identifying, searching for, recovering and securing high risk, vulnerable radioactive sources.
? Strengthening long-term control over radioactive sources.
? Interdicting illicit trafficking and/or strengthening border controls.
? Planning the response to radiological emergencies arising from the malevolent use of radioactive sources.
We also note that the final session of the conference will be a panel discussion, involving international journalists, on the Role of the Media/Public Education, Communication and Outreach.
Media Access: The Conference is open to the press. Press seating will be available in a designated area. As only very limited parking is available at the Heldenplatz, arrival by taxi or public transportation is strongly advised.
Media Arrangements: A press working area in the Gartensaal with laptop plug-ins is available in the conference facility.
Press Conference
A press conference will be held on Tuesday, 11 March, at 14:00 in the Prinz-Eugen-Saal with IAEA Director General Mohamed ElBaradei, U.S. Secretary of Energy Spencer Abraham and Russian Minister of Atomic Energy Alexander Rumyantsev.
Accreditation: Accreditation is possible on Monday, from 16:00 to 20:00 and on Tuesday, from 8:00 - 14:00 at the Hofburg Congress Center, Heldenplatz. Please bring a valid press I.D. Advance notice of satellite trucks and TV crews is required. Please contact Mr. Peter Rickwood (P.Rickwood@iaea.org), at (+43-1) 2600-22565; Mobile: (+43) 664-2030899; Fax: (+43-1) 2600-29610 in advance with your names, affiliations and license plate numbers.
Organized by the International Atomic Energy Agency; co-sponsored by the Russian Federation and the United States of America in co-operation with the European Commission (EC), European Police Office (EUROPOL), International Criminal Police Organization (ICPO-Interpol) and World Customs Organization (WCO); hosted by Austria.