IAEA General Conference—Chu Re- Board of Governors Meeting

Meetings

IAEAGENERALCONFERENCE Amano makes first General Conference address AMTRYING to change the widespread Among important issues discussed at the 2010 perception of the agency as simply the ‘‘Iworld’s ‘nuclear watchdog’because it conference were cancer treatment in developing does not do justice to our extensive activities in other areas,” Director GeneralYukiya countries, international cooperation, and safety, Amano declared in his opening speech to the International Atomic Energy Agency’s security, and safeguards. 54th General Conference, held September 20–24 in Vienna. “This year, we are focus- bers, and expert consultants have been used health professionals engaged in delivering ing on cancer, which is the subject of the to improve assistance to newcomer coun- radiation medicine, will soon be launched, Scientific Forum,” he said. Amano high- tries. In parallel, he said, “We will continue he said. lighted the agency’s activities and achieve- to assist countries which are expanding Another important human health area in ments over the 10 months since he assumed existing nuclear power programs. That is which nuclear technology has a role to play office (he succeeded Mohamed ElBaradei, where most new reactors will be built.” is water resource management. Amano not- who had served as director general for four I The agency should encourage interna- ed that the IAEA recently initiated the terms and along with the agency was tional lending institutions that are reluctant IAEA Water Availability Enhancement awarded the 2005 Nobel Peace Prize). to support nuclear power projects to be Project, which is intended to help countries Regarding nuclear power activities, more open to such projects. “Lending insti- to acquire knowledge in this field. Amano noted that the tutions could consider a new approach,” he The agency’s technical cooperation pro- growing importance said, “bearing in mind the fact that a large gram, which primarily involves specific of nuclear energy has number of countries ... may wish to in- projects in member countries, is making a had a significant im- clude [nuclear] in their energy mix.” real difference in the lives of many people pact on the agency’s I The agency should encourage a proper in developing countries, Amano said. “I am work in recent years, appreciation of the benefits of nuclear pow- thinking of the farmer in the High Andes in leading to a stronger er in helping to mitigate the negative effects Peru who can grow enough crops to feed his focus on the needs of climate change. These benefits deserve family and sell food at the market, thanks to of “newcomer” coun- wider recognition. nuclear techniques to boost crop yields in tries. “It is not an ex- I The agency should expand its activities harsh environments; the child in Zanzibar aggeration to say that in sharing best practices and disseminating who has milk to drink because the cows are Amano we have entered a information on waste management and dis- not getting sick, thanks to the agency’s work new era,” he said. “We expect between 10 posal. to deploy the sterile insect technique, which and 25 new countries to bring their first nu- helped to eliminate the tsetse fly; or the can- clear power plants on line by 2030.” For all Applications and cooperation cer patients in many developing countries countries expressing an interest, the agency Amano explained why he made cancer in whose disease is diagnosed in time for treat- focuses on the fundamental issues and pri- developing countries a high priority for his ment, thanks to the agency’s assistance.” orities for a nuclear country, notably offer- first year in office: “Some 665 people in New resources for the technical cooper- ing advice on how to put in place the ap- developing countries die of cancer every ation program as a whole rose to $112.2 propriate legal and regulatory framework hour—nearly three times as many as in de- million in 2009 from $91.5 million in 2008, and how to ensure the highest standards of veloped countries,” he said. “Around 70 Amano noted, with human health remain- safety and security, without increasing pro- percent of cancers in developing countries ing the largest area of activity overall. For liferation risks. The agency can also offer are diagnosed too late for life-saving treat- example, he said, the agency has helped independent expertise on the construction, ment. In many low-income countries, there countries establish safe and effective radio- commissioning, startup, and operation of is not a single radiation therapy machine. therapy capabilities, provide higher quality nuclear reactors. The aim, he said, is for Treatment that can slow, or even eradicate, treatment to cancer patients, and build up countries to “be able to introduce nuclear cancer is often simply not available. Mil- their expertise in food irradiation so that power knowledgeably and profitably.” lions of people who could be successfully they can improve both the safety and qual- Amano stressed the following points, treated die every year. Since 1980, the ity of food and increase their exports. which he said he believes deserve attention: IAEA has delivered over $220-million “Capacity-building is at the heart of our I The agency should continue to respond worth of cancer-related assistance to devel- work in technical cooperation,”Amano said. to the needs of countries that are consider- oping countries. I want to build on those ef- “The ultimate goal is to make countries self- ing introducing nuclear power. Since taking forts in the coming years.” sufficient—to help them establish or main- office, Amano has added new staff mem- More generally, he said, the agency sees tain a sustainable, highly specialized and its work in radiation medicine as an impor- trained human resource base in all areas of This report was prepared by International Edi- tant element in building up nations’capac- nuclear sciences and applications. For ex- tor Dick Kovan, with contributions also from ities in the field of human health. A new ample, the agency helps member states to Gamini Seneviratne, who is based in Vienna. e-learning Web site, providing resources for build the capacity to plan and introduce nu-

November 2010 NUCLEARNEWS 97 clear power. We help countries that already milestone of having 100 Additional Proto- peal for members to actively support the have operating plants to strengthen their ca- cols to safeguards agreements in force (the agency’s work related to cancer control. pacities for training and management, for actual number now stands at 102). This is better managing long-term operation, and an encouraging development, he said, as the Euratom-IAEA cooperation for lifetime planning for more efficient de- Additional Protocol is an essential tool that commissioning.” allows the agency to provide credible as- in safety,safeguards, security surance that nuclear material declared by a In his statement to the IAEA 54th Gen- Nuclear safety and security state is not being diverted from peaceful eral Conference, Dominique Ristori, deputy Amano said that the IAEA will continue uses, and also that the state does not pos- director general of the European Commis- to promote an integrated approach to safe- sess any undeclared nuclear material or sion, described how cooperation between ty, focusing on management systems, effec- have any other activities under way. Euratom (the European Atomic Energy tive leadership, and safety culture. He added On safeguards issues, Amano said that he Community, effectively the European Union that the agency will also help maintain a had nothing new to report on implementing acting in the nuclear sphere) and the IAEA high level of nuclear safety by promoting in- agency safeguards in Syria and Iran. Fur- has intensified in recent years in the crucial ternational cooperation, providing safety re- thermore, since the agency has not had any fields of safety culture, security, and non- view services to member states, and sup- inspectors in North Korea since April 2009, proliferation. porting knowledge networks and training. there was nothing to report there either. The EC provides support to IAEA safe- He particularly noted the already wide- North Korea, he said, has not permitted the guards activities through its Safeguards spread international support for the Code of IAEA to implement safeguards since De- Support Program, Ristori said, which cov- Conduct on Safety and Security and the sup- cember 2002, and it has not implemented the ers more than 40 safeguards projects that plementary Guidance on the Import and Ex- relevant measures called for in United Na- are integrated with the nuclear security port of Radioactive Sources, whose adop- tions Security Council Resolutions 1718 and agenda of the EC’s Joint Research Centre. tion and implementation by member states 1874. “I again call on all parties concerned to As a result of their cooperation in imple- in cooperation with the agency have pro- make concerted efforts for a resumption of menting nuclear safeguards, Ristori added, duced significant improvements in regula- the Six-Party Talks,” Amano added. all EU non-nuclear weapon member states tory infrastructure and capability in manag- Discussions have been taking place for have now acceded to Euratom’s safeguards ing radioactive sources in many countries. some time on possible measures to ensure agreement and its additional protocol Another important challenge for the reliable supplies of nuclear fuel to member (which mirror the respective IAEA docu- agency, Amano said, is to improve safety states. In March, with the approval of the ments). The use of “integrated safeguards,” infrastructures surrounding the medical use IAEA Board of Governors, Amano signed which have been championed by the agency, an agreement with was started in all EU countries with signifi- Russia to establish a cant nuclear facilities at the beginning of this low-enriched urani- year. Integrating the various elements of a Effective national and global um reserve there to country’s safeguards system, he said, allows help assure supplies the IAEA to apply its measures in a less pre- response capabilities are of nuclear fuel to scriptive and more customized manner, essential to minimizing the member states. He thereby reducing the agency’s inspection ef- also called for mem- fort while maintaining effective internation- potential impacts of incidents bers to move for- al safeguards within the EU. An Integrated ward in developing Safeguards Partnership Approach has been and building public trust in an IAEA-managed finalized by the two organizations related to fuel bank (or similar inspection practices at the various types of the safety and security of system) for provid- facilities, with particular attention paid to ing fuel-supply as- gas centrifuge enrichment plants. nuclear technology. surance to those The EU also provides substantial support countries that agree for IAEA nuclear security activities, Ristori to forgo the develop- said, and is one of the main donors to the of radiation. As medical technology using ment of sensitive fuel technologies, such as agency’s Nuclear Security Fund, both col- ionizing radiation continues to evolve and enrichment. lectively and through contributions of indi- new technology and techniques are used vidual member countries. globally, including in developing countries, Scientific Forum He noted that the Instrument for Stabili- it is important that countries’safety and se- In conclusion, Amano returned to the top- ty (IfS) forms the basis for EU action in nu- curity infrastructures keep pace with devel- ic of this year’s Scientific Forum. “This is clear security–related fields, with €300 mil- opments. the culmination of our special focus on can- lion (about $414 million) being provided With regard to nuclear and radiological cer this year, which has already started to for cooperation with third countries in the incidents and emergencies, he continued, bear fruit. I believe we have succeeded in period 2007–2013. A major IfS contribu- effective national and global response ca- raising awareness of the problems of cancer tion is earmarked for support of an IAEA pabilities are essential to minimizing the in developing countries to a higher politi- fuel bank, which the agency proposes as a potential impacts of incidents and building cal level. Our cooperation with the World backup supply of low-enriched uranium to public trust in the safety and security of nu- Health Organization is going from strength ensure that member states have access to clear technology. He also revealed that the to strength. Confirmed pledges and dona- fuel in the event of unexpected supply dis- infrastructure of the agency’s Incident and tions to our Program of Action for Cancer ruptions. Ristori said that the IfS program Emergency Center, which he described as Therapy are running at record levels. We are also anticipates the creation of chemical, bi- “the global focal point for international pre- also seeing a very strong commitment by de- ological, radiological, and nuclear (CBRN) paredness and response” in this area, will veloping countries to our activities, which centers in countries outside the EU to sup- be further enhanced in the coming year. has led to an improvement in the quality of port cooperation in security efforts, provid- Regarding nuclear verification activities, some of our cancer-related technical coop- ing work for scientists and engineers in Amano welcomed the IAEA’s reaching the eration projects.” He then made another ap- these areas, as well as combating illicit traf-

98 NUCLEARNEWS November 2010 MEETINGS ficking of nuclear and radioactive material and illicit financing of these activities, and PRESSCONFERENCE stressed, but is a mechanism to ensure a providing export control. The EC plans to supply of nuclear fuel to countries that establish CBRN centers in South Asia and DOE’s Chu presents meet their nonproliferation obligations. the Middle East in 2011. views on nuclear The time for debating the principles of Substantial collaboration is also under the fuel bank and discussing the concerns way in the area of nuclear safety. Here, said Secretary of Energy Steven Chu called of different countries is over, he said, not- Ristori, the EC benefited from IAEA sup- nuclear fission a “bridge technology” ing that the United States has held bilat- port in preparing major EU nuclear safe- that is needed to carry us through to eral talks with a number of countries and ty legislation (Council Directive 2009/71/ when “clean” sources of energy take believes that their concerns can be dealt Euratom), which was adopted in June 2009. over. Speaking at a press conference on with. Specific proposals for a resolution Agency support “ensured a sound and co- September 21—the second day of the should be ready for the December IAEA herent approach and, at the same time, es- IAEA General Conference—Chu re- Board of Governors meeting. tablished the ground for continued enhanced ferred to renewable sources of energy, In answer to a question about spent cooperation,” he said. The directive brought such as wind, solar, and biomass, as be- fuel in the United States, Chu said that into EU law the IAEA Fundamental Safety ing derived from the “sun’s nuclear en- salt domes are a better type of medium Principles and obligations under the Con- ergy.” These sources are developing for spent fuel than the conditions atYuc- vention on Nuclear Safety, making the EU quickly, he said, but acknowledged that ca Mountain. There are salt domes that the first major region to give legal force to the problems typical of renewables—low have been radioactively dated and deter- the main IAEA international safety stan- energy density, intermittency, and need mined to be stable for tens of millions of dards. Ristori noted that the EC has urged for very sophisticated transmission, dis- years. The downside is that once spent making these standards binding worldwide. tribution, and storage systems—mean fuel and high-level waste are placed in In the run-up to the 25th anniversary— that it will take decades for them to take salt, they cannot be retrieved; the upside in April 2011—of the Chernobyl accident in over from fission. He said that he hopes is that this means that salt is an excellent Ukraine, an EC-IAEA-Ukraine joint project that the transition will be completed by medium for final disposition. for the safety evaluation of Ukraine’s nu- the end of this century. Chu also remarked that because spent clear power plants has been successfully Asked if breeder reactors will be need- fuel can be safely stored for long periods, concluded, Ristori said. The project has pro- ed, Chu said, “We don’t know,” but he there are no impending issues that must vided a wealth of experience to all parties did refer to what he calls hybrids, such be dealt with. In the meantime, he added, involved and a useful model for similar eval- as “wave-technology” systems, in which the United States is looking at several op- uations in other countries. plutonium is bred and burned in the re- tions, such as developing technologies to Since 2005, Ristori said, Euratom has actor, not retrieved for recycling in extract more of the energy content from been a party to the IAEA Early Notification mixed-oxide fuel. The objective, he said, the fuel and for burning long-lived ac- and Assistance Conventions, which deal is to extract more of the energy from the tinides to reduce the resulting amount of with radiological emergencies. To support fuel and reduce the amount of waste. He waste, but it will take a couple of decades this area, the two organizations have agreed stressed, however, the risk of investing in to develop this process. The Blue Ribbon to cooperate in the area of real-time radia- any one energy source, adding that it Commission on America’s Nuclear Fu- tion data exchange. Also, Ristori added, the makes sense to pursue a diverse set of ture, which is looking at long-term solu- EC cooperated with the IAEA and other in- energy options, including the breeder, tions for nuclear waste disposal, has been ternational organizations to establish in which is what the world is doing. “We instructed not to make a decision based 2002 the International Action Plan for the will see what wins,” he said. on today’s technology, but to look ahead Radiation Protection of Patients, and as a Asked to expand on the comment dur- at least half a century. member of the plan’s steering panel, the EC ing his presentation to the General Con- Regarding plutonium, Chu stressed fully supports a proposal for a 2012 inter- ference the previous day that funding for that while plutonium from former de- national conference on the radiation pro- the establishment of an IAEA-adminis- fense programs is being downblended for tection of patients. tered fuel bank could be at risk (see arti- burning in power reactors, the use of plu- cle on page 45), Chu said simply that the tonium derived from civilian spent fuel Steven Chu on U.S. United States is anxious to conclude the is not being considered. “We have not talks, which have been going on since found it to be commercially attractive or support of the IAEA 2008. The fuel bank is not an alternative in our interest” to recycle this material in The IAEA General Conference opening- source of low-enriched uranium, he thermal reactors, he said.—D.K. day speech of U.S. Energy Secretary Steven Chu reflected the priorities of President system has not always worked as we would Obama also noted the delays in setting up Barack Obama, set hope. For this reason, the United States has an IAEA fuel bank, which would be “de- out in a message that called for added resources and authorities signed to support countries’ access to Chu read to the meet- for the IAEA, penalties against those who peaceful nuclear energy by underpinning ing attendees. The violate their nonproliferation obligations, the international nuclear fuel market. The message stressed the and new international mechanisms that en- time to act is now,” he said. need to contain the sure the safe, secure, and peaceful uses of Expanding on Obama’s vision, Chu fo- dangers posed by nu- nuclear energy. cused on four areas: promoting the peaceful clear energy while “The United States will continue to do its use of nuclear energy, strengthening non- harnessing its poten- part,” the message said, “having this year proliferation and international safeguards, Chu tial for development convened the first Nuclear Security Sum- advancing disarmament, and keeping nu- and peaceful uses, and in this regard, Oba- mit, which highlighted the risk of nuclear clear material out of the hands of terrorists. ma’s message said, “The United States security at a head-of-state level, revised our While the first area highlighted the po- stands with the IAEA.” The message con- nuclear posture, and reached agreement tential of nuclear energy, Chu stressed the tinued: “The international nonproliferation with Russia on a new nuclear arms accord.” need to build a new framework of coopera-

November 2010 NUCLEARNEWS 99 tion so that countries can access peaceful ture of its intentions.” Chu noted that the underlined the project’s importance to the power without increasing the risks of pro- United States has already taken action by global nuclear community. liferation.As in Obama’s message, Chu re- way of the sanctions that the Obama ad- Chu acknowledged INPRO’s role in the ferred to various mechanisms to assure sup- ministration has levied against those trad- global preparation for a sustained nuclear plies of fuel so that member countries need ing with Iran. Canada, Australia, South Ko- power future. “As the world moves toward not develop their own sensitive fuel tech- rea, and the United Arab Emirates have also a clean, low-carbon future, nuclear power nologies, such as uranium enrichment. A taken similar steps. will play an increasing role in our energy preliminary measure the United States has In the area of disarmament, Chu noted, mix.We need to make sure that nuclear en- already taken was to downblend 17.4 met- “The United States is reducing the role and ergy is used in a safe, secure, responsible, ric tons of high-enriched uranium (HEU) numbers of our nuclear weapons, extend- and sustainable way. INPRO is one part of into low-enriched uranium (LEU) to be held ing a security assur- in reserve to support a fuel assurance mech- ance toward nations anism. (For details on Chu’s comments on that are in compli- fuel bank initiatives, see the related story on ance with the NPT “INPRO plays an important p. 45; also see the Special Section on Non- and their nuclear proliferation for further discussion of this nonproliferation role in understanding the topic.) obligations.” In co- future development of Chu also mentioned the name change operation with Rus- made to the Global Nuclear Energy Part- sia, he added, the nuclear energy systems from nership, which is now called the Interna- United States has re- tional Framework for Nuclear Energy Co- quested that the a national, regional, and operation. The organization will seek wider IAEA verify the dis- international participation and will work position of enough global perspective.” closely with the IAEA to provide advice on weapons-grade plu- infrastructure development for nations that tonium for approxi- are expanding and developing their nuclear mately 17 000 nuclear weapons, with the achieving this goal.” power programs, and will help to create in- goal of completing the preparation of the Kiriyenko said that Russia is committed ternational mechanisms to assure reliable required verification agreement for con- to making further significant contributions access to nuclear fuel services. sideration by the IAEA Board of Gover- to help develop the project. He urged IAEA As part of the United States’commitment nors by the end of 2011. member countries “to make maximum use to the IAEA, Chu also mentioned the new Regarding the issue of keeping nuclear of INPRO’s potential for practical utili- Peaceful Uses Initiative announced by U.S. weapons out of terrorists’ hands, the Unit- zation of advanced technologies and to Secretary of State Hillary Clinton in May at ed States is working with the IAEA, inter- strengthen international cooperation in ap- the United Nations’2010 Non-Proliferation national institutions, and countries around plications of nuclear energy.” Treaty (NPT) Review Conference. “This the world to secure vulnerable nuclear and Representatives of many other countries initiative will raise $100 million to expand radiological materials. “We have accelerat- also declared their national commitments to support for new and underfunded IAEA ed HEU removal efforts and successfully INPRO. Norma Boero, president of the Na- projects in developing countries,” Chu said, removed all HEU from 18 countries,” he tional Atomic Energy Commission of Ar- with the goal of advancing medical tech- said. The U.S. has also worked with inter- gentina, said, “INPRO plays an important nology, food security, water resource man- national partners to convert research reac- role in understanding the future develop- agement, and the infrastructure needed for tors and isotope production facilities from ment of nuclear energy systems from a na- the safe and secure use of nuclear power. HEU to LEU fuel and targets, he added, and tional, regional, and global perspective.” The United States, Chu said, also sup- is developing medical isotope production And Frederic Mondoloni, a member of the ports significantly increasing the IAEA’s processes that do not require the use of IAEA’s Board of Governors representing regular budget, which is particularly im- HEU. France, assured INPRO of France’s contin- portant for the second area of concern: Chu concluded that with the actions that uing support. “France considers INPRO to strengthening nonproliferation safeguards have been taken over the past year, signifi- be the right forum to enhance information to increase the security of nuclear material cant progress has been made toward a world exchanges and discussion between member around the world. “New facilities require that is safer and more secure. “Nuclear states and to allow the transmission of safeguards and technologies require updat- power will play a growing role in meeting knowledge on nuclear energy,” he said. ing, yet the IAEA safeguards budget has re- the world’s energy needs, and nuclear dan- Srikumar Banerjee, chairman of India’s mained relatively static,” he said, adding gers will remain. And the IAEA will only Atomic Energy Commission, noted that In- that the Department of Energy “has also un- increase in importance in the years to dia has been a member of the project since dertaken a major effort called the Next Gen- come.” its inception, and that its association with eration Safeguards Initiative to identify INPRO has been “extremely beneficial for technology gaps and solutions, train new INPRO’s 10th anniversary: the Indian nuclear program,” and although experts, and develop new concepts and ap- Japan is an observer and not yet a full mem- proaches to improve international safe- Looking back and ahead ber of INPRO, Shunsuke Kondo, chairman guards.” Festive, political, and technical events to of the JapanAtomic Energy Commission, re- Referring to Obama’s message, Chu mark the first decade of the International newed his country’s support for the project. stressed, “For countries that do not adhere Project on Innovative Nuclear Reactors and Yutaka Sagayama, chairman of the Gen- to their safeguards commitments there must Fuel Cycles (INPRO) were held in con- eration-IV International Forum (GIF), the be real and timely consequences. Iran’s in- junction with the IAEA General Confer- other major international group that is fo- transigence represents a challenge to the ence. Steven Chu, secretary of the U.S. De- cusing on nuclear innovation for the future, rules that all countries must adhere to,” he partment of Energy, and Sergei Kiriyenko, spoke of the importance of cooperation be- added. “Iran must do what it has thus far head of Rosatom, Russia’s state atomic tween INPRO and GIF for the development failed to do—meet its obligations and as- company, were among the top energy ad- of next-generation nuclear reactor systems. sure the rest of the world of the peaceful na- ministrators whose presence at the events A separate technical event recalled the ra-

100 NUCLEARNEWS November 2010 MEETINGS tionale of INPRO’s initiation and what has particular to the regular interface meetings gage in activities that benefit all IAEA been achieved so far. An invited panel of with GIF. During the technical event, the member countries, including nuclear new- specialists discussed some of the challeng- U.S. State Department’s Alex R. Burkart, comer countries, which share expectations ing areas addressed by INPRO, such as nu- deputy director of the Office of Nuclear En- of nuclear expansion; support long-range clear sustainability, partitioning and trans- ergy, Safety, and Security, said that INPRO strategic planning; and complement other mutation of nuclear waste, transmutation is- became the one international activity initiatives, such as GIF. sues of next-generation reactors, and the through which both developed and devel- The Dialogue Forum will continue, fo- challenges of developing a nuclear power oping countries were talking about common cusing on institutional innovations, multi- program for a country with a small- to problems and issues. lateral regional centers, and services that medium-sized grid. The panel discussion “When the United States first articulated cover technical support, education and train- produced a number of topics for future the desire to develop a smaller reactor more ing, waste management and storage, en- INPRO work, including thorium-fueled re- appropriate to the smaller grids of develop- richment and reprocessing, and fuel leasing actors and fast reactor safety. Indonesia pro- ing countries, it went to INPRO to seek user and take-back. Other activities in the near- posed that more direct assistance be pro- views, resulting in the Common User Con- term will be in nuclear law and internation- vided to developing countries for the de- siderations study, which explored in some al instruments; harmonization of interna- velopment of sustainable nuclear strategies, detail what developing countries really tional approaches and guidelines for safety and Russia called for INPRO’s involvement wanted. The INPRO Dialogue Forum has and safety culture; and, in the noneconom- in its Multifunctional Fast Research Reac- built on that effort as a continuing means of ic area, factors that influence a decision to tor project. information exchange on specific issues,” deploy nuclear energy, such as energy secu- Considerable support was given to the Burkart said. rity, energy supply, energy diversity, and continuation of the INPRO Dialogue Forum Kiriyenko commented: “INPRO has be- technology transfer. and to helping newcomer countries intro- come a generator of new approaches and With Poland recently joining, INPRO duce nuclear into their energy mix. The fo- solutions in the area of nuclear power infra- membership now stands at 32 (31 countries rum, recognized as a significant first-decade structure, at both national and internation- and the European Commission) and is due achievement, is a platform for communica- al levels. The IAEA utilizes these develop- to increase. Cameroon, Malaysia, Romania, tion among technology holders and users. ments in its activities Tunisia,Vietnam, and the United Kingdom For nuclear newcomers, it is a route to ac- on nuclear power in- are considering membership. quiring knowledge and to effectively par- frastructure. Other ticipating in collaborative research projects pioneering activities IAEA supports UAE’s carried out by INPRO member countries. [include the] devel- Perhaps the single most important opment of innovative Khalifa University achievement of INPRO’s first 10 years was solutions to deploy The IAEA and the Khalifa University a methodology to thoroughly assess all of transportable nuclear of Science, Technology and Research the key aspects of nuclear energy systems, power installations (KUSTAR) in the United Arab Emirates including economics, environmental im- of small and medium (UAE) signed a “Practical Arrangements” pact, infrastructure, physical protection, size. Such solutions agreement to establish an e-learning portal proliferation resistance, safety, and waste Kiriyenko address the needs of aimed at supporting cooperation in educa- management. Known as the Nuclear Ener- small grids, remote locations, and countries tion, training, and research in nuclear sci- gy System Assessment (NESA), it was pub- with limited national resources to develop ence and technology. The agreement was lished in nine volumes in 2009, although large-scale nuclear power.” signed on September 21 by Yury Sokolov, INPRO members were able to use it before Asked to elaborate on the word “innova- the IAEA’s deputy director general for nu- its official publication. In a statement the tive” in INPRO’s title, project leader Ran- clear energy, and Tod A. Laursen, president dall Beatty said that of KUSTAR. it suggests advanced The new portal, which is designed to sup- reactor designs that plement classroom studies, was recently in- Perhaps the single most incorporate radical stalled, along with the Asian Network for important achievement of conceptual changes Education in Nuclear Technology (ANENT), in design approaches at the KUSTARAbu Dhabi campus, where INPRO’s first 10 years was a or system configura- it is now in pilot operation. These online re- tion, as compared sources are aimed at supporting the UAE’s methodology to thoroughly with existing prac- efforts to educate the tice. “Innovative sys- experts and leaders assess all of the key aspects tems encompass not needed to drive and only electricity gen- sustain the nation’s of nuclear energy systems. erating plants, but nuclear power devel- also plants (of vari- opment plans. Hu- ous size and capa- man resource devel- week after the conference, INPRO manag- city) for other applications, such as high- opment has become er Yury Sokolov, IAEA’s deputy director temperature heat production, district heat- an increasingly im- general for nuclear energy, said that NESA ing, and seawater desalination, to be de- portant strategic con- has now been applied by 11 countries ac- ployed in developed regions as well as in de- sideration since the cording to their national and international veloping countries.” Sokolov country embarked up- priorities, and that two—Belarus and Ka- Looking to the future, Beatty said that a on its ambitious nuclear power program, zakhstan—are currently performing assess- two-year plan has been prepared, and a five- having ordered four power units from a ments, while Indonesia, Italy, Jordan, and year plan is in its formative stages. In Korean-led consortium in December 2009. Poland are planning assessments. essence, the project’s specific niche is to de- KUSTAR plays a vital role as the UAE’s INPRO also works with other interna- velop tools such as the INPRO methodolo- only educational and training institution de- tional initiatives, Sokolov said, referring in gy to assess sustainable nuclear energy; en- voted to nuclear engineering at the master’s

November 2010 NUCLEARNEWS 101 MEETINGS level. SCIENTIFICFORUM tries: Facing the Challenge,” is a highlight The cooperation between the IAEA and of that undertaking. KUSTAR is intended to promote the use of Cancer a growing threat “The IAEA’s expertise lies in radiother- ANENT’s e-learning system. ANENT was in the developing world apy, nuclear medicine, radiology, and med- established in 2004 as a regional partnership ical radiation physics. We provide equip- for cooperation in capacity building and hu- The two-day Scientific Forum, held an- ment and training, deliver know-how and man resource development, including edu- nually as a regular side event of the IAEA technical support, and help developing cation and training in the peaceful uses of General Conference, this year focused on countries establish cancer control policies nuclear technology, in Asia. ANENT cur- how to improve cancer control and care in and centers.” Since 1980, Amano said, the rently comprises 16 member countries:Aus- developing countries. World Health Orga- IAEA has provided over $220 million tralia, Bangladesh, China, India, Indonesia, nization (WHO) Director General Margaret worth of cancer-related assistance. South Korea, Lebanon, Malaysia, Mongo- Chan called the rise of cancer in low- and He said that the agency’s Program of Ac- lia, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, the SyrianArab Re- middle-income countries “an impending tion for Cancer Therapy (PACT) works with public, Thailand, the Philippines, the UAE, disaster.” WHO and many other partners to help de- and Vietnam. In a video message to the September 21– veloping countries establish comprehensive 22 event, Chan said that cancer is “a com- national cancer control programs. “But Teletherapy unit plex disease that must be tackled on multi- more than 80 percent of Africa’s 1 billion ple fronts by multiple partners.” Seven of inhabitants still have no access to basic ra- donated to Sri Lanka every 10 cancer deaths now occur in the de- diotherapy and related cancer services.” India’s donation of a teletherapy unit for veloping world, where 5.5 million deaths In this regard, Massoud Samiei, the head cancer treatment to Sri Lanka, through the annually will rise to of PACT, recently estimated that there is a IAEA’s Program of Action for Cancer Ther- 9 million a year by shortfall of around 7000 radiotherapy ma- apy (PACT), was marked by a special cer- 2030 if no concerted chines at prevailing cancer rates, mainly for emony at the IAEA General Conference on action is taken, ac- lack of funds. To address this, PACT has September 22. The donation of a Bhabha- cording to WHO es- initiated a process to try to encourage man- tron II unit supports a PACT initiative to im- timates. “In the same ufacturers—through consultations and plement a comprehensive cancer control period, cancer deaths meetings that bring together users and sup- program in Sri Lanka. Representing Sri in wealthy countries pliers—to simplify their designs and make Lanka at the ceremony was Wimaladharma are expected to re- them more affordable and suitable for de- Abeyewickreme, chairman of the country’s main fairly stable,” veloping countries’ needs. Currently it Atomic Energy Authority. she said. would cost around $4 million to set up a ra- At the event, Werner Burkart, IAEA Chan Most health sys- diotherapy clinic in a developing country. deputy director general and head of the De- tems in the less-wealthy developing coun- PACT’s aim is to persuade manufacturers partment of Nuclear Sciences andApplica- tries are designed to cope with episodes of to produce a package that would include all tions, described the donation as a “triumph infectious disease, and are unable to cope of the essential elements and components of hope and collaborative effort to control with the “simply crippling” costs of cancer for a cost of $1 million.At least two manu- cancer in developing countries. India’s ini- care. They lack the capacity “for preven- facturers have said that they are working on tiative is making radiotherapy more acces- tion, public education, screening and early this. “I understand that they are hoping to sible, saving lives and lessening suffering,” detection, diagnosis, and treatment,” Chan put them on the market very soon,“ Samiei he said. He also acknowledged Sri Lanka noted, whether it involves surgery, chemo- added. for making cancer diagnosis and treatment therapy, or radiotherapy. She added that In an agency secretariat paper, the cancer a priority. The country has been earmarked many of these countries “do not possess crisis in the less-wealthy world is summa- as one of three Model Demonstration Sites even a single radiation therapy machine.” rized: “Cancer kills more people than HIV/ in the Asia/Pacific region. IAEA Director General Yukiya Amano AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria combined Created by the IAEA in 2004 in response opened the forum, underscoring the need and is second only to heart disease.” The pa- to the developing world’s growing cancer for global cooperation to improve cancer per also notes that WHO estimates that 84 crisis, PACT aims to raise cancer aware- control and care in developing countries. million people will die in the next 10 years, ness, assess needs, develop demonstration “The lesson for all projects, and attract donors. PACT promot- of us here is that we, ed the development of the World Health Or- too, need to work to- ganization/IAEA Joint Program for Cancer gether [to] share ex- PACT has initiated a process Control, and also aims to work with lead- perience, expertise, to try to encourage manu- ing cancer organizations to develop part- and knowledge to nerships to support the countries in their ensure that cancer facturers to simplify their fight against cancer and raise funds for can- patients gain access cer control where they are most needed. to the best modern designs and make them more Srikumar Banerjee, chairman of India’s treatment and care.” Atomic Energy Commission, praised PACT Amano and Chan affordable and suitable for for its role as a vehicle for channeling re- both reiterated the sources. “PACT has a major impact on can- now universally developing countries’ needs. cer treatment in the developing world,” he shared view that said. Rajendra Achyut Badwe, director of cancer is no longer a Mumbai’s Tata Memorial Center, India’s disease of wealthier countries alone. When most of them in poor countries, if action is national comprehensive cancer center, said, Amano began his tenure as head of the not taken now. “We strive to see that uniform cancer care is agency at the end of last year, he committed “More than one-third of cancers can be offered throughout India and to neighbor- to making cancer control the IAEA’s high- prevented and another third are curable if ing countries,” with the goal of trying to en- est priority in his first year in office. The fo- detected early,” the paper states. “But in sure that no patient feels hopeless. rum theme, “Cancer in Developing Coun- Continued on page 108

102 NUCLEARNEWS November 2010 Continued from page 102 many developing countries with overbur- dened health systems, cancer is a low priority in terms of allocated resources, and there are few screening or prevention programs. About 70 percent of all cancer cases are diagnosed too late.” The IAEA expected that this year’s Sci- entific Forum would come up with effective strategies and solutions to the crisis through interdisciplinary deliberations among its participants, representing the whole spec- trum of people active in combating cancer. Accordingly, participants included senior government policy makers and officials, WHO, and several other international non- governmental organizations (NGO), including the Union for International Cancer Control, the Lance Armstrong Foundation, Panelists at a session during the Scientific Forum discuss the IAEA's efforts to provide can- and Breast Health Global Initiative, as well cer treatment capabilities to developing countries worldwide. (Photo: IAEA/Dean Calma) as industry, technologists, and medical per- sonnel. gle presentation of less than an hour. It gives them. On the other hand, experience in Amano said that he hoped that at the end the audience a snapshot of patient-therapist treating diseases such as AIDS and tuber- of the event, participants would better un- experience and interactions. In countries culosis, in rich and poor countries, demon- derstand how best to work across disci- with developed health systems, real-life tu- strates that existing technologies may be plines to fight cancer in developing coun- mor boards are held routinely as collabora- quite adequate, or even more suitable, in tries. He added that cancer is an overlooked tive consultations among the medical spe- less well-endowed cancer/ health systems. aspect of global health, and that a global cialists responsible for a patient’s care. The The best approach, then, is to focus on mak- gathering such as the Scientific Forum purpose of these boards is to ensure that the ing the most of what is available while grad- could strengthen international cooperation, best possible treatment is provided. ually upgrading equipment and systems, build public-private partnerships, and mo- The forum simulation involved radiolo- participants said. bilize resources. gists, nuclear medicine specialists, sur- The forum consisted of six sessions: a geons, radiation oncologists, pathologists An Indian approach simulated tumor board on a notional breast and oncologists from Brazil, Canada, Sin- On the subject of upgrading systems, In- cancer patient; cancer as part of the global gapore, South Africa, and Sweden. They dia’s Three-Tier Tele-Networking System health agenda; partnering in fighting can- played their real-life roles in simulating the for Comprehensive Radiotherapy Care cer; the IAEA’s role; emerging technolo- care and counseling of a make-believe aroused a great deal of interest and is like- gies; and safe and appropriate use of new breast cancer patient. ly to benefit other developing countries that radiation medicine technology. Following the simulation, participants adopt or adapt it. As described by a repre- All the sessions were moderated by Nik aired their appraisals and experience. Many sentative of the Gandhi Cancer Institute and Gowing, a well-known British journalist pointed out that most developing countries Research Center, the first stage of the sys- and a principal program anchor for the in- lack the trained medical specialists, equip- tem involves creating new radiotherapy fa- ternational television news channel BBC ment, and supporting infrastructure to put cilities with basic teletherapy units. World. Each session was guided by a panel such a simulation into practice. Neverthe- These primary radiotherapy centers, less, the exercise which would be responsible for early de- was seen as a valu- tection and preventive oncology in various able demonstration communities, would be augmented by sec- Cancer is an overlooked of the complexities ondary radiotherapy centres that would pro- aspect of global health, of cancer care, and vide teletherapy, brachytherapy, and simu- also illustrated how lator and treatment planning. The third and a global gathering cancer care systems stage is a center with advanced treatment should be devel- facilities, teaching, training, and research to such as the Scientific Forum oped. Participants deal with only the most complex cases that stressed the wide- have been referred from the lower-level could strengthen spread need for centers. more coordination Another point stressed by experts on the international cooperation. and resources to al- panel and from the floor was that staff low for such an in- should be well trained to handle new tech- frastructure to be put nologies before any are obtained. Such pri- of leading cancer specialists. The program in place. or training is frequently not required in was designed in a format that facilitated dis- In other sessions, new and emerging many facilities around the world, and as a cussion, and audience participation was a technologies were described, especially di- result, patients’ safety may be at stake. As key feature of the event. agnostic tools for early detection that could noted by forum participants, despite con- The “simulated tumor board” presented potentially save more lives than existing straints, developing countries are acquiring at the first session was developed as a teach- ones. But the discussion made clear that more machines to diagnose and treat can- ing tool in medical training. In essence, it these tools are beyond the reach of re- cer, which is leading to growing concerns condenses a course of care and therapy that source-poor countries, which lack both cash about patient safety. would normally take many years into a sin- and the capability to procure and deploy Cancer experts and regulators explored

108 NUCLEARNEWS November 2010 MEETINGS problems and possible solutions related to who said they can only offer mastectomies the safe and appropriate use of new radia- to breast cancer patients rather than less dis- tion medicine technology in developed and figuring lumpectomies because they have developing countries alike. A Belgian ex- no radiotherapy facilities.” pert said that the vast majority of accidents The details of the technology and re- are caused by a lack of training and safe- source gap in the real world were also cov- ty culture, not by faulty or inappropriate ered, with a recognition of the critical need equipment, and a participant from France for government support in the development agreed that staff training and a safety cul- of health systems. In this regard, the IAEA’s ture are at least as important as effective significant role in providing radiation med- regulation and safety standards. icine know-how and training was acknowledged to be a key component in the fight The forum report against cancer. Presenting his report on the Scientific Fo- Ngoma’s report recommended the devel- rum to the General Conference plenary, rap- opment of partnerships through PACT, built porteur Twalib A. Ngoma, executive direc- around technology, training, and services. tor of Tanzania’s Ocean Road Cancer Insti- The need to put regulations in place for the tute, noted that when the UN Millennium safe and appropriate use of radiation medi- Development Goals were formulated, priority was given to The IAEA’s significant role in HIV/ AIDS, malaria, and tuberculosis. As providing radiation medicine a result, cancer and other noncommuni- know-how and training was cable diseases were marginalized in the acknowledged to be a key global development agenda, even though component in the fight cancer and heart disease are now the ma- against cancer. jor causes of death globally. Among developing countries, where the cine technology was also stressed. “There majority of cancer cases and deaths today was general agreement in the Scientific Fo- occur, some are so poorly equipped to re- rum that having cancer as part of the global spond to the looming crisis that by 2030, of development agenda is an essential prereq- the estimated 13 million-plus deaths world- uisite for addressing the growing cancer wide every year, about 9 million will occur problem in developing countries,” he noted. in the developing world. The forum found a Ngoma summed up the forum’s report lack of global awareness of the enormous with the following recommendations: magnitude of this crisis. I The agency should maintain the priority The forum provided an opportunity to given to cancer within its programs and, in learn more about how to work together particular, continue to support, allocate, and against cancer, Ngoma said. There is a need mobilize resources for the implementation to strengthen international cooperation, of its cancer-related program. build public-private partnerships, and mo- I The agency should continue to advocate bilize new resources. The IAEA partnership for a comprehensive approach to cancer with WHO is a great example of interna- control, from prevention to palliative care, tional organizations working for a common integrating the safe and effective use of ra- cause. International organizations cannot diation medicine in close cooperation with build cancer care infrastructures in devel- WHO. oping countries, but they can assist by pro- I The agency should strive to further pur- viding training, expertise, and advice, and sue the necessary steps to place cancer on by ensuring that their voice is heard. the development agenda and to support the For example, PACT is working with a cancer control capacity-building efforts in growing number of member states to bridge its member states. the gap between the agency’s work in the I The agency, member states, and NGOs area of human health, as well as work that should actively participate in the UN Gen- is under way in developing countries to eral Assembly’s debate and discussions on establish comprehensive cancer care net- the review of the Millennium Development works. “There was hope, passion, and en- Goals. ergy in the discussions and some heart- Ngoma also reported that participants in rending stories,” Ngoma said. “There was a the Scientific Forum firmly believe that the young radiation oncologist from Malawi, support of world leaders and the UN system the only one in his country, who has no ra- is crucial in order to turn the focus on the diotherapy equipment and can only pre- impact of cancer and other noncommunica- scribe chemotherapy. There were surgeons ble diseases across the developing world.

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