Plenary Meeting of the International Seismic Safety Centre’s Programme
Vienna, Austria
27 to 31 January 2014
Conference ID:
47353
(TM)
INFORMATION SHEET
A. Background
The establishment of the International Seismic Safety Centre (ISSC) was announced in September 2008 at the 52nd regular session of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) General Conference by the IAEA Director General in response to Member States’ increasing concerns regarding the occurrence of extreme natural hazards (earthquakes, tsunamis, volcanic eruptions, meteorological and hydrological hazards, human induced events). The ISSC was designed to serve as a global focal point to share information and experience among all members of the international nuclear community, to pool experts’ knowledge, and to assist nuclear operators and regulators in ensuring and enhancing the safety of nuclear installations in relation to such phenomena.
The ISSC has been developing a set of safety standards and providing technical review services to Member States in the field of protection of nuclear installations against external hazards. The ISSC Extrabudgetary Programme (ISSC EBP), which is funded by resources from the Member States, has enabled the development of technical basis and methodologies for the implementation of the concepts presented in the safety standards.
Recent extreme natural events have had an impact on a number of nuclear power plants (NPPs) in many parts of the world and have highlighted the importance of the ISSC’s work aimed at protecting nuclear installations against external hazards. In particular, the Great East Japan Earthquake and Tsunami of 11 March 2011, which triggered the accident at the Fukushima Daiichi NPP, made it clear that further vigilance with regard to external hazards is required to ensure nuclear installation safety.
This plenary meeting will provide an opportunity to share information on the latest progress in the ISSC’s work and to discuss the experience gained, lessons learned and necessary support by Member States relevant to the protection of nuclear installations against external hazards so that the ISSC can further elaborate its activities in this area.
B. Objectives of the Meeting
The objectives of the meeting are: (a) to share information on the progress of existing activities and the plans for future activities conducted under the ISSC-EBP, as well as on national experience, good practices and necessary support in Member States relating to the protection of nuclear installations against extreme external events; and (b) to invite Member States to actively participate in the ISSC’s work aimed at assisting Member States, upon request, in protecting their nuclear installations against external hazards.
C. Participation
The meeting is targeted at experts from regulatory bodies, utilities, technical support organizations, vendors and research and development organizations, who are working in the areas covered by the meeting.
Participants officially nominated by their relevant governmental authority (Ministry of Foreign Affairs or National Atomic Energy Authority) should send by fax or email the attached Participation Form (Form A) to the Scientific Secretary, Mr Yasunori Noguchi (contact details are indicated in Section D below), to arrive no later than 13 December 2013. The nomination of a participant will be accepted only if forwarded by the Government of an IAEA Member State.
The participants may deliver presentations on issues which are relevant to background and objectives of the meeting. In particular, presentations on issues that are important to the Member States and on which further guidance form IAEA in needed, are welcomed. The IAEA encourages participants to send abstracts for presentations as indicated in the Participation Form.
D. Organization
Scientific Secretary:
Mr Yasunori Noguchi
International Seismic Safety Centre
Division of Nuclear Installation Safety
International Atomic Energy Agency
Vienna International Centre
PO Box 100
1400 VIENNA, AUSTRIA
Tel.: + 43 1 2600 26397
Email: Y.Noguchi@iaea.org
E. Visas
Designated participants who require a visa to enter Austria should submit the necessary application to the nearest diplomatic or consular representative of Austria at least four weeks before they travel to Austria. Since Austria is a Schengen State, persons requiring a visa will have to apply for a Schengen visa. In States where Austria has no diplomatic mission, visas can be obtained from the consular authority of a Schengen Partner State representing Austria in the country in question.
F. Expenditure
The costs of the meeting are borne by the IAEA; no registration fee is charged to participants.
The IAEA is generally not in a position to bear the travel and other costs of designated participants in the meeting. The IAEA has, however, limited funds at its disposal to help meet the cost of attendance of certain participants. Such assistance may be offered upon specific request to normally one participant per country provided that, in the IAEA’s view, the participant on whose behalf assistance is requested will make an important contribution to the workshop. The application for financial support should be made at the time of nominating the participant.
G. Working Language
The working language of the meeting will be English.
H. Online Information
Participants should visit the IAEA Meetings web page regularly for new information on the meeting. The address is:
http://www-pub.iaea.org/iaeameetings/
Participants will also find information on services at the Vienna International Centre (VIC) and general information at:
http://www-pub.iaea.org/iaeameetings/GeneralInfo/Guide/VIC
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