Legislative assistance

Proposed tags

News

Offices Reporting to the Director General

Interregional

Education and training

Nuclear Law Institute

Story Photo Caption

The 2025 Nuclear Law Institute brought together 64 participants from 54 countries, promoting international collaboration and knowledge exchange in nuclear legislation. (Photo: M. Magnaye/IAEA)

Page Section

Opened the 2025 Nuclear Law Institute, where participants from around the world strengthen their skills in nuclear law and legislative drafting. Since 2011, over 800 participants have joined this @IAEAorg programme, helping countries build strong national frameworks.

As nuclear… pic.twitter.com/dLASDu9w3L
— Rafael Mariano Grossi (@rafaelmgrossi) October 1, 2025

Advanced training now available

Since 2024, the IAEA’s capacity-building programme in nuclear law has expanded to include advanced training courses on nuclear law offered in English, French and Spanish. “The IAEA also plans to offer these advanced courses in the other official languages, while continuing to provide basic training for those new to this highly technical, complex and specialized field,” said Anthony Wetherall, Head of the IAEA’s Nuclear and Treaty Law Section.

In 2025, the Nuclear Law Institute surpassed 800 trained professionals from IAEA Member States - marking a global milestone in nuclear law education. (Photo: M. Magnaye/IAEA)

From its expert-led sessions to hands-on drafting, participants appreciated this unique journey in nuclear law.

“As we prepare for the operation of Egypt’s first nuclear power plant at El-Dabaa, the Nuclear Law Institute has been an invaluable resource deepening our understanding of the relevant international legal instruments, and it has provided an excellent platform to exchange experience with IAEA experts and participants from around the world,” said Alam Eldien Sharb from Egypt’s Nuclear Power Plants Authority.

“The Nuclear Law Institute has been instrumental in deepening my understanding of the elements of a comprehensive nuclear legal framework,” said Maurício Cremonesi from Amazul S.A. “Brazil is a country with an established nuclear programme and this training provides a valuable opportunity to consider how we can strengthen our legal framework.”

“Participating in the Nuclear Law Institute is a crucial first step to contribute to developing a national legal framework, tailored to our specific needs, that enables the safe, secure and peaceful use of nuclear applications,” said Piakura Irene Tiraa Passfield from the Crown Law Office in the Cook Islands. “Coming from a small island state without a current nuclear programme, I’m grateful to the learnings from the Institute, as it has not only enabled me to grasp the core elements of nuclear law, but also the many linkages to other areas of priority for the Cook Islands, including environmental law, waste management, transboundary harm and the role of regulatory authorities. We look forward to future cooperation with the IAEA as we look to progress our national nuclear legislation.”

This training was carried out within the framework of the IAEA Legislative Assistance Programme under the interregional technical cooperation project for legislative assistance.

Featured Story

Off

First Postgraduate Training in Nuclear Law Concludes in Argentina

O.Yusuf@iaea.org — Fri, 25 Jul 2025 07:00:00 +0000

First Postgraduate Training in Nuclear Law Concludes in Argentina O.Yusuf@iaea.org Fri, 2025-07-25 09:00

Partial Translation

Off

Blog

Off

Story Authors

Eva Ciurana Casademont

IAEA Department of Technical Cooperation

Story Date

Fri, 2025-07-25 11:00

Story Body

The inaugural cohort for Argentina’s new postgraduate course in nuclear law has recently completed its programme at the University of Buenos Aires. Set up in partnership with the IAEA, the programme equips aspiring professionals with the tools to effectively navigate the complex technical, legal and regulatory dimensions of the nuclear field.

Launched in July 2024, the University of Buenos Aires (UBA) Postgraduate Programme in Nuclear Law is open to graduates in all disciplines from Argentina and across the region. The programme covers key aspects in the nuclear and regulatory legal framework, including safety, security, safeguards and liability, as well as other cross-cutting areas such as non-proliferation, environmental law, occupational health, law enforcement and international trade and customs.

Primary Topic

Proposed tags

Story Photo Caption

The University of Buenos Aires (UBA) Postgraduate Programme in Nuclear Law include both in-person and online components, as well as technical visits to nuclear sites, including the Atucha Nuclear Power Plant. (Photo: UBA) 

Page Section

A legal framework to harness the benefits of nuclear science

The year-long programme is open to students from Argentina and the Latin America and Caribbean region. (Photo: UBA)

“Nuclear science and technology save millions of lives – they provide one third of the world’s carbon free energy, they fight diseases like cancer, COVID and malaria, they increase crops and reduce plastic pollution,” said IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi in a video message at the start of the course. “None of this would be possible without a legal framework that carefully weighs the risks and benefits of nuclear science and technology.”

The year-long course offers 368 hours of instruction across ten core subjects taught by local and international professors in a hybrid format combining in-person and online learning. Participants also benefit from technical visits, gaining practical insights into the nuclear sector.

“The experience has been transformative,” said Mara Florencia Arbizu, a participant in the programme. “It has not only deepened my understanding of nuclear law but also opened new professional pathways I had not considered before.”

Nuclear law expertise for Latin America and the Caribbean

The first cohort of the UBA postgraduate programme in nuclear law completed classes this week. The programme is part of an IAEA initiative to increase expertise in this field. (Photo: UBA)

The next cohort is set to begin in August 2025, building additional capacity in Latin America and the Caribbean. This is a crucial step toward ensuring that countries in the region are equipped with the legal expertise needed to harness the potential of nuclear science and technology.

“The launch of this postgraduate course fills a vital gap in legal education, empowering professionals to address the technical and regulatory challenges of the nuclear sector,” said Emiliano Buis, course director at the UBA.

Global initiative for nuclear legal education

Through its Office of Legal Affairs and the technical cooperation (TC) programme, the IAEA not only builds awareness of existing international instruments among its Member States, it also builds capacities and delivers training to help countries comply with their international obligations and commitments. (Photo: UBA)

The UBA programme is part of a broader initiative launched in 2022 by the IAEA Director General to address the urgent need for legal expertise in the nuclear sector. UBA is one of six institutions selected by the IAEA to participate in the global initiative, alongside universities in Brazil, Egypt, Jamaica, South Africa and the United Arab Emirates. It is jointly supported by the IAEA Department of Technical Cooperation and the Office of Legal Affairs, which administered training of teaching staff and provided comprehensive materials covering the full spectrum of the course curriculum.

The IAEA supports countries in developing comprehensive national legislation to ensure the safe, secure and peaceful uses of nuclear technologies. The IAEA also offers legislative assistance to member countries in developing such legislation and in implementing international legal instruments in this field through its technical cooperation programme.

NID in d7

233070

Translation Set

Featured Story

Off

First Postgraduate Training in Nuclear Law Concludes in Argentina

O.Yusuf@iaea.org — Fri, 25 Jul 2025 07:00:00 +0000

First Postgraduate Training in Nuclear Law Concludes in Argentina O.Yusuf@iaea.org Fri, 2025-07-25 09:00

Partial Translation

Off

Blog

Off

Story Authors

Eva Ciurana Casademont

IAEA Department of Technical Cooperation

Story Date

Fri, 2025-07-25 11:00

Story Body

Primary Topic

Proposed tags

Story Photo Caption

Page Section

A legal framework to harness the benefits of nuclear science

The year-long programme is open to students from Argentina and the Latin America and Caribbean region. (Photo: UBA)

Nuclear law expertise for Latin America and the Caribbean

The first cohort of the UBA postgraduate programme in nuclear law completed classes this week. The programme is part of an IAEA initiative to increase expertise in this field. (Photo: UBA)

Global initiative for nuclear legal education

NID in d7

233070

Translation Set

Featured Story

Off

IAEA Holds First Advanced Training on Nuclear Law in French

C.E.Donald@iaea.org — Thu, 11 Sep 2025 13:15:00 +0000

IAEA Holds First Advanced Training on Nuclear Law in French C.E.Donald@iaea.org Thu, 2025-09-11 15:15

Partial Translation

Off

Blog

Off

Story Authors

Alix Troubat and Christelle Drillat

IAEA Office of Legal Affairs

Story Date

Thu, 2025-09-11 17:15

Story Body

The IAEA has held its first advanced training course on Nuclear Law in French, in response to requests from French-speaking member countries. Held in August in Algiers, the course brought together 28 participants from 16 countries across the Africa region.

Primary Topic

Proposed tags

Africa

Education and training

Story Photo Caption

The regional training course gathered 28 participants from 16 African countries. (Photo: ANSSN)

Page Section

Building Capacity in the French Language

The two-week training course offered the participants a forum to deepen their knowledge of the nuclear international instruments and the essential elements of comprehensive national nuclear legislation. The event also served as a medium for exchanging experiences, identifying shared challenges, and fostering regional cooperation in the field of nuclear law.

This initiative deepens the training provided through the IAEA Nuclear Law Institute. By offering the course in French, the IAEA is helping member countries overcome language barriers to strengthening their national legal frameworks.

Malessinani AKAOLO, from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs from Togo, said that “This advanced training course enabled us to deepen our knowledge of nuclear law in a short period of time. The course being delivered in French is a major asset for understanding all the terminology and concepts”.

This initiative responds to the growing demand for capacity building in nuclear law among French-speaking member countries. It follows the first IAEA advanced training course in nuclear law held in English in Serbia at the end of 2024 and the first IAEA advanced training course held in Spanish in July 2025 in Mexico.

Strengthening Cooperation with Algeria

The successful delivery of the training course was the result of strong collaboration between the IAEA and Algeria’s National Nuclear Safety and Security Authority (ANSSN). This partnership reflects Algeria’s commitment to promoting nuclear law, and to supporting capacity-building efforts across French-speaking member countries in this field.

Director of the training course, Fatah Chennoufi from the ANSSN, said: "The launch of this first advanced training in nuclear law in French, constitutes a landmark achievement in the capacity-building efforts for legal professionals in the nuclear field.

“It stands as a fruitful cooperation between Algeria and the IAEA and highlights our shared commitment to promoting legal excellence and strengthening national frameworks for the peaceful use of nuclear energy. By supporting the development of highly qualified nuclear lawyers in the French language, this initiative contributes to strengthening the legal infrastructure for nuclear activities. Algeria is proud to contribute to this high-quality programme, which sets a precedent for future regional and international collaboration in nuclear law education."

This training was conducted within the framework of the IAEA Legislative Assistance Programme and organized under an interregional project of the IAEA technical cooperation programme. The event was also supported financially by extrabudgetary funds provided to the Office of Legal Affairs by the United States of America.

NID in d7

233232

Translation Set

Story Blockquote

Featured Story

Off

IAEA Hosts First Spanish-Language Advanced Training Course on Nuclear Law

C.E.Donald@iaea.org — Tue, 26 Aug 2025 06:30:00 +0000

IAEA Hosts First Spanish-Language Advanced Training Course on Nuclear Law C.E.Donald@iaea.org Tue, 2025-08-26 08:30

Partial Translation

Off

Blog

Off

Story Authors

Christelle Drillat and Alix Troubat

IAEA Office of Legal Affairs

Story Date

Tue, 2025-08-26 10:30

Story Body

The IAEA, in collaboration with Mexico’s Ministry of Energy, conducted its Advanced Training Course on Nuclear Law in Spanish for the first time.

Held in Mexico City last month, the course brought together 33 participants from 15 countries across Latin America and the Caribbean.

Primary Topic

Proposed tags

News

Governmental

Latin America and the Caribbean

Education and training

Story Photo Caption

Held in Spanish for the first time, the IAEA’s Advanced Training Course - organized with Mexico’s Ministry of Energy - featured expert-led sessions, case studies, panel discussions and a final assessment on nuclear law.  (Photo: Ministry of Energy)

Page Section

Enhancing Legal Frameworks through Regional Training

This two-week training course, which aimed to build and strengthen national capacities, focused on officials who support adherence to relevant international legal instruments and the development and implementation of national legal frameworks governing the safe, secure and peaceful use of nuclear energy and ionizing radiation. Participants deepened their knowledge of the relevant instruments and the essential elements of comprehensive national nuclear legislation. They also exchanged experiences and identified common challenges, fostering regional cooperation in the field of nuclear law.

The course, which was delivered entirely in Spanish, featured lectures, case studies and panel discussions. Participants also completed a comprehensive assessment to evaluate their understanding of the topics covered.

“The Advanced Course on Nuclear Law is a great opportunity to strengthen my expertise, and having it in Spanish makes a real difference for applying complex legal concepts in my work,” said Diego Julien, Legal Advisor at Uruguay’s National Regulatory Authority for Radiation Protection.

This initiative builds on the success of the IAEA’s annual Nuclear Law Institute and responds to the growing demand for capacity building in nuclear law among Spanish-speaking countries. The IAEA’s first Advanced Training Course in Nuclear Law was held in English in Serbia at the end of 2024. A French version of the course was conducted for the first time in Algeria from 11 to 22 August 2025.

The successful organization of this training course was made possible through close collaboration between the IAEA and the Government of Mexico. The Ministry of Energy played a key role in hosting the event and providing logistical and institutional support. This partnership reflects Mexico’s strong commitment to advancing nuclear legal capacity in the region and fostering international cooperation in the peaceful uses of nuclear energy.

Participants from 15 countries gathered in Mexico City for the IAEA’s first Spanish-language Advanced Training Course on Nuclear Law. (Photo: Ministry of Energy)

This training was conducted within the framework of the IAEA Legislative Assistance Programme and organized under an interregional project of the IAEA technical cooperation programme.

NID in d7

230953

Translation Set

Featured Story

Off

Supporting the National Implementation of the Nuclear Legal Framework in Algeria

C.E.Donald@iaea.org — Fri, 04 Jul 2025 04:15:00 +0000

Supporting the National Implementation of the Nuclear Legal Framework in Algeria C.E.Donald@iaea.org Fri, 2025-07-04 06:15

Partial Translation

Off

Blog

Off

Story Authors

Christelle Drillat

IAEA Office of Legal Affairs

Story Date

Fri, 2025-07-04 08:15

Story Body

The IAEA, in cooperation with Algeria’s National Nuclear Safety and Security Authority (Autorité Nationale de S?reté et de Sécurité Nucléaires – ANSSN), hosted the first national workshop on nuclear law in Algiers since the country enacted its new comprehensive national nuclear law in 2019.

The three-day workshop, held from 15 to 17 June, gathered more than 100 participants from various stakeholders. It offered a forum to discuss and foster awareness and understanding of the international nuclear legal instruments related to safety, security, safeguards, and civil liability for nuclear damage as well as the elements of a comprehensive national nuclear legal framework.

The event also focused on the regulatory functions exercised by the regulatory body and the principle of the prime responsibility of the authorised person, triggering rich exchanges among the participants on the practical implementation of the country’s national nuclear legal framework.

Primary Topic

Proposed tags

Africa

Algeria

Story Photo Caption

The workshop on nuclear law marked the first event since the enactment of Algeria's comprehensive nuclear legislation in 2019. (Photo: ANSSN)

Page Section

The IAEA, in cooperation with Algeria’s National Nuclear Safety and Security Authority (Autorité Nationale de S?reté et de Sécurité Nucléaires hosted the event. (Photo: ANSSN)

Opening the workshop, ANSSN President Rachedi Menadi said: “This workshop aims to raise the awareness of the best international practices and their implementation at the national level through the national nuclear legal framework.” He further underlined that while “an adequate legislative framework is necessary to protect the people and the environment from the harmful effects of ionising radiation, it is only the first step. Effective implementation of the legal framework requires active contribution and involvement of all the stakeholders.”

Over 100 participants from diverse national stakeholders attended the three-day workshop which aimed to raise awareness and promote understanding of the international nuclear instruments. (Photo: ANSSN)

The legislative assistance mission was held as part of the framework of the IAEA Legislative Assistance Programme and organized through an inter-regional project of the IAEA technical cooperation programme.

NID in d7

223673

Translation Set

223673

Featured Story

Off

Supporting the National Implementation of the Nuclear Legal Framework in Algeria

C.E.Donald@iaea.org — Fri, 04 Jul 2025 04:15:00 +0000

Supporting the National Implementation of the Nuclear Legal Framework in Algeria C.E.Donald@iaea.org Fri, 2025-07-04 06:15

Partial Translation

Off

Blog

Off

Story Authors

Christelle Drillat

IAEA Office of Legal Affairs

Story Date

Fri, 2025-07-04 08:15

Story Body

Primary Topic

Proposed tags

Africa

Algeria

Story Photo Caption

The workshop on nuclear law marked the first event since the enactment of Algeria's comprehensive nuclear legislation in 2019. (Photo: ANSSN)

Page Section

The IAEA, in cooperation with Algeria’s National Nuclear Safety and Security Authority (Autorité Nationale de S?reté et de Sécurité Nucléaires hosted the event. (Photo: ANSSN)

NID in d7

223673

Translation Set

223673

Featured Story

Off

International Expert Group on Nuclear Liability Convenes for 25th Meeting in Vienna

L.Baben@iaea.org — Thu, 17 Jul 2025 14:15:00 +0000

International Expert Group on Nuclear Liability Convenes for 25th Meeting in Vienna L.Baben@iaea.org Thu, 2025-07-17 16:15

Partial Translation

Off

Blog

Off

Story Authors

Alix Troubat

IAEA Office of Legal Affairs

Story Date

Thu, 2025-07-17 18:15

Story Body

The International Expert Group on Nuclear Liability (INLEX) held its 25th meeting from 17 to 19 June 2025 at the IAEA Headquarters in Vienna. Experts from around the world gathered to discuss various issues of civil liability for nuclear damage.

During the three-day meeting, INLEX members discussed recent developments in the field of nuclear liability, the geographical scope of the 2004 Paris Convention, the revised Vienna Convention, and the Convention on Supplementary Compensation for Nuclear Damage (CSC), as well as the current liability limits of the Parties to the 1963 Vienna Convention. The group also discussed the understanding of the term “for use” provided in the 2014 IAEA Board of Governors resolution (GOV/2014/63, derestricted 2017-06-09) on the exclusion of small quantities of nuclear material from the scope of the 1963 and 1997 Vienna Conventions and the CSC, and the related 2016 OECD/NEA Steering Committee decision.

The Group once again considered liability issues related to small modular reactors (SMRs) and nuclear-powered civil merchant ships. In addition, the Group discussed possible updates to the IAEA’s explanatory texts on the nuclear liability conventions (The 1997 Vienna Convention on Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage and the 1997 Convention on Supplementary Compensation for Nuclear Damage - Explanatory Texts; The 1988 Joint Protocol Relating to the Application of the Vienna Convention and the Paris Convention — Explanatory Text).

Proposed tags

News

Legal

International Expert Group on Nuclear Liability (INLEX)

Treaties

Story Photo Caption

Page Section

Workshop for Diplomats Highlights Key Nuclear Liability Issues

Ahead of the INLEX meeting, the IAEA, with the assistance of some INLEX members, held a workshop on civil liability for nuclear damage for Vienna-based diplomats titled, “A Call for Action on the Global Nuclear Liability Regime: Key Policy and Legal Considerations.” The workshop highlighted the increasing importance of the legal frameworks addressing civil liability and compensation in the event of a nuclear accident, as more countries turn to nuclear energy—including traditional Nuclear Power Plants (NPPs) and SMRs.

In this context and for the first time, the workshop addressed the relevance of the global nuclear liability regime as called for annually by the IAEA’s General Conference, for NPP operating countries, newcomer countries and neighboring countries, as well as coastal states. The final session of the workshop focused on the pathways towards the global nuclear liability regime.

About INLEX

Established in 2003 as an advisory body to the IAEA Director General, INLEX currently consists of 21 members serving in their individual capacity and serves as a forum of expertise to explore and advise on issues related to civil liability for nuclear damage.

INLEX works to enhance adherence to an effective nuclear liability regime in nuclear and non-nuclear countries around the world, based on the nuclear liability instruments adopted under the auspices of the IAEA. Additionally, the Group assists the IAEA in the development and strengthening of national nuclear liability legal frameworks in IAEA Member States.

Last year marked two decades of the Group’s work and the publication of the book 'International Expert Group on Nuclear Liability (INLEX): A Collective View on The First Two Decades’. More information on the publication can be found here.

NID in d7

225492

Translation Set

Featured Story

Off

IAEA Holds First Training Course on Nuclear Law in China

C.E.Donald@iaea.org — Fri, 13 Jun 2025 09:30:00 +0000

IAEA Holds First Training Course on Nuclear Law in China C.E.Donald@iaea.org Fri, 2025-06-13 11:30

Partial Translation

Off

Blog

Off

Story Authors

Alix Troubat

IAEA Office of Legal Affairs

Story Date

Fri, 2025-06-13 13:30

Story Body

The People’s Republic of China is in the legislative approval process of the draft Atomic Energy Law which recently passed the second review of the National People’s Congress (NPC) in April 2025. The country is also rapidly expanding its national nuclear power program, accounting for nearly half of all power reactors currently under construction worldwide.

An IAEA legislative assistance mission was conducted on 26-30 May 2025 in Beijing and Hainan at the request of the China Atomic Energy Authority (CAEA). The mission included the country’s first ever IAEA national training course on nuclear law covering safety, security, liability, and the elements of a comprehensive national nuclear law, as well as the technical cooperation programme. Six high-level bilateral meetings on nuclear law were also held with several key stakeholders.

Opening the training course, Jinjun Wang, Deputy Director General of the CAEA, said: “International engagement like this course is vital for developing a robust and modernized national legal framework, one that nurtures a well-informed nuclear industry. It also strengthens future global collaboration by deepening our understanding of the international legal framework and other countries’ legal systems.”

The mission followed a bilateral meeting held earlier that month at IAEA Headquarters, where discussions were held on nuclear law and the legal frameworks for new nuclear technologies such as small modular reactors (SMRs) and fusion, as well as the high-level meeting held in October 2025 which focused on China’s draft Atomic Energy Law.

Primary Topic

Proposed tags

Asia and the Pacific