Introduction
In accordance with the IAEA's Nuclear Security Plan 2022-2025 (GC65/24) and Nuclear Security Resolutions (GC (66)/Res/7), the Member States have encouraged the IAEA to enhance its technical capabilities and keep abreast of scientific, technological, and engineering innovations to develop guidance and facilitate training that will support Member States in implementing measures that will effectively confront current and evolving challenges, risks, and threats to nuclear security. Additionally, the Agency will undertake efforts to inform Member States of nuclear and radiation technology options which are technically feasible, economically viable, and sustainable.
The Third Technical Meeting on Radiation Detection Instruments for Nuclear Security: Trends, Challenges, and Opportunities will provide an opportunity for experts from Member States, such as front-line users, regulatory authorities, expert support members, and researchers to identify best practices, technology advancements, needs, and opportunities regarding technologies of radiation detection instruments. The technologies discussed will include both passive detection and active interrogation systems. Through presentations, breakout sessions, and discussions, Member State experts will be able to (1) identify existing solutions and potential opportunities to address detection challenges; (2) identify opportunities for collaboration with other Member States; and (3) develop sustainable solutions to challenges and build expert capacity within their own State.
Objectives
The purpose of the meeting is to bring together experts in, and users of, radiation detection instruments and active interrogation systems with the manufacturers of such equipment in order to identify:
• Functional and technical capabilities needed and desired to achieve more effective use of instruments deployed for the detection of nuclear and other radioactive material out of regulatory control;
• Specifications and testing requirements to ensure instrument capabilities meet needs;
• Requirements for networking of detection instruments and secure communications;
• Tools available or needed to transform detection instrument data into information; and
• Challenges and opportunities presented by emerging threats and technologies.
Topics
The meeting will cover the following topics:
• National and international experiences with the detection of nuclear and other radioactive
material out of regulatory control or during the response to nuclear security events;
• Current status of radiation detection instruments;
• Challenges and opportunities presented by emerging threats and technologies;
• Active interrogation systems;
• Tools for data analysis and display;
• Technical and functional specifications for radiation detection equipment;
• Network and communication systems for radiation detection instruments; and
• Research and development (R&D) of radiation detection systems.
