NNSA’s Office of International Nuclear Security hosted an event highlighting U.S. support for nuclear security capacity building for future nuclear power programs at the International Atomic Energy Agency’s International Conference for Nuclear Security (ICONS) in Vienna on May 21, 2024.
National Nuclear Security Administration
May 31, 2024
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NNSA’s Office of International Nuclear Security hosted an event highlighting U.S. support for nuclear security capacity building for future nuclear power programs at the International Atomic Energy Agency's International Conference for Nuclear Security (ICONS) in Vienna on May 21, 2024. The event demonstrated U.S. support for the IAEA's Atoms4NetZero Initiative.
Opening the event, Department of Energy Deputy Secretary David Turk shared: “With all the multilateral and national attention on meeting climate change goals and ensuring energy security in today’s uncertain environment, we must take a proactive, not reactive, approach to responsible nuclear power program expansion.”
The event showcased U.S. resources available to support the responsible global expansion of nuclear power with an emphasis on prioritizing safety, security, and safeguards. The panel included Deputy Secretary David Turk, NNSA Acting Principal Deputy Administrator of NNSA Corey Hinderstein, Ambassador to the Vienna Office of the United Nations and to the IAEA Laura S.H. Holgate, Ambassador and Under Secretary of State for Arms Control and International Security Bonnie D. Jenkins, and representatives from the IAEA. It highlighted the needs and challenges for safety, security, and international safeguards for embarking or expanding countries to promote the responsible deployment of new civil nuclear power infrastructure.
“All of us are excited at the expansion of nuclear power to address the climate crisis. However, this is also a critical time for all to address the threats and challenges associated with any nuclear facility,” said Corey Hinderstein. “The National Nuclear Security Administration is prepared to assist states in addressing nonproliferation and security considerations to work towards promoting a regime which supports the responsible global expansion of nuclear power.”
The event announced signatories to a new Joint Statement on Nuclear Security for New Nuclear Power Program Development and provided an opportunity to better understand the needs of countries developing nuclear power programs to inform future work on security by design.
In November 2022, at COP 27, IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi launched the “Atoms4NetZero” initiative, which aims to harness the power of nuclear energy to achieve net zero carbon emissions and energy security. As nuclear power programs are developed, NNSA promotes robust nuclear security infrastructure development for the responsible use of nuclear technology.
Atoms4NetZero has five main areas of focus which include collaboration and capacity building, stakeholder engagement, outreach, expert support of long-term energy strategies, and national and regional energy scenario modeling. In addition, the IAEA’s Milestones Approach lays out 19 infrastructure issues that countries need to consider when embarking on or expanding a nuclear power program. The 19 infrastructure issues include nuclear security, safety, and international safeguards.