Purpose
The purpose of the event is to provide the international transport community with a platform to discuss opportunities, challenges and key enablers for the safe and secure transport of nuclear and other radioactive material. The conference will cover legal and regulatory aspects, transport package design, operations, commercial and supply chain considerations, and innovative and/or new technologies that have the potential to impact transport safety and security. The Conference’s interactive format of expert panels, topical sessions, technology demonstrations and networking opportunities will enhance global stakeholder connectivity and explore these topical issues.
Objectives
- To discuss international legislative and regulatory frameworks and Member States practices in regulations considering all modes of transport.
- To address the safety and security approaches for national and international transport considering all modes of transport.
- To discuss the design, testing, manufacturing, repair and maintenance, and authorization (renewal/validation) requirements and practices for radioactive material transport packages, including for new innovative technologies and consider end-user related challenges.
- To facilitate information sharing among Member States about their capabilities in ensuring safety and security aspects particularly related to international transport.
- To introduce greater cooperation and engagement – drawing on the expertise and experiences of industry operators (carriers).
The conference will also provide an opportunity to address national and international needs of Member States from the perspectives of competent authorities (nuclear/radiation safety regulators as well as regulators for modes of transport) and all stakeholders including designers, manufacturers, consignors, carriers, consignees.
Participants are encouraged not to discuss any sensitive nuclear security information.
Target Audience
The conference targets individuals involved in transport safety and security of nuclear and radioactive material. This includes policymakers, regulators, industry operators, technical experts, legal professionals, law enforcement, NGOs, academics, early career professionals, women in nuclear, and representatives from developing countries.
Abstract
The IAEA estimates that 20 million shipments of nuclear and other radioactive material are transported every year for peaceful applications in energy, medicine, education, agriculture and industry. The extensive use of nuclear and other radioactive material by countries enables them to develop their economies, sustain their societies, and address climate change challenges, therefore their safe and secure transport is essential.
The safe and secure transport of nuclear and other radioactive material is governed by international conventions, codes, and standards developed by relevant United Nations organizations. The IAEA plays a leading role as a specialized agency in developing safety requirements for the transport of nuclear and other radioactive material which are incorporated into the UN model regulations and modal regulations for the transport of dangerous goods, and security recommendations. These instruments provide a foundation for sustainable transport, ensuring safety and security. They also support Member States to have processes in place to efficiently and effectively implement regulatory framework and infrastructures at the national level and globally. This framework provides for internationally accepted standardised design of radioactive material and transport packages and a generic design certification approved by the competent authority of the country of origin.
Despite the existence of a well-established framework and its widespread adoption — developed over decades — certain challenges and difficulties persist. Today, all manner of products that we take for granted are dependent on the safe, secure and reliable transport of nuclear and other radioactive material from manufacturer to end user. It is vital that uniform global implementation or international rules and requirements are adhered to in the shipments of nuclear and other radioactive material.
This conference will also address challenges such as issues faced by some Member States in aligning national legal and regulatory systems to build robust, effective, and appropriate transport safety and security infrastructures. Other issues that will be covered are on how to maintain and ensure smooth supply chain systems and transport for nuclear and other radioactive material safely and securely, taking into account the different approaches and capabilities of Member States. Technological developments require continued assessment to ensure that the established safety and security framework is still fit-for-purpose.
To address ongoing, current and emerging challenges related to transport and to provide a platform for dialogue, the IAEA is organizing the International Conference on the Safe and Secure Transport of Nuclear and Radioactive Material. This conference marks the third in the series, following previous events in 2011 and 2021.
Key Deadlines and Dates
- 15 September 2025: Submission of synopses through IAEA-INDICO and Form B (together with Form A) through the InTouch+ platform.
- 3 October 2025: Notification of acceptance of synopses for oral or poster presentation
- 17 October 2025: Submission of Form C (together with Form A) through the InTouch+ platform
- 28 November 2025: Electronic submission of extended synopses through IAEA-INDICO
- 17 March 2026: Submission of Form A only (no paper submission, no grant request) through the InTouch+ platform
Authors register online via InTouch+. Online registration, auto-generated Participation Form (Form A), and Paper Submission Form (Form B) must reach the IAEA by September 15, 2025.
