By Jennifer Wagman, IAEA Department of Safeguards

Those interested in contributing papers for the IAEA Symposium on International Safeguards: Reflecting on the Past and Anticipating the Future, taking place from October 31 to November 4,  2022, have until  March 31 to submit their abstracts. The IAEA is open to receive submissions for online posters and in-person oral presentation for the Symposium, which will take place at IAEA headquarters in Vienna, Austria.

This year’s Symposium takes place during a special year, with important anniversaries in 2022: 50 years after the first comprehensive safeguards agreement (CSA) entered into force, and 25 years since the adoption of the Model Additional Protocol (AP) which provides the IAEA with broader access to information and locations.

“The Symposium brings together global stakeholders in support of IAEA safeguards,” said Deputy Director-General and Head of the Department of Safeguards, Massimo Aparo. “We will reflect on how safeguards have evolved, look forward and anticipate what lies ahead, and inspire actions for continued success well into the future.”

Participants at the Symposium, which takes place every four years, include government representatives and safeguards authorities; the research and development community; industry; and nuclear non-proliferation and safeguards experts from laboratories, think tanks, and academia.

“The best and most viable ideas for action often come from a multi-stakeholder approach. To help spark those ideas, the Symposium will deploy scenario and crowdsourcing techniques that will engage and leverage the world’s collective nuclear verification expertise”, said Team Lead of Safeguards Strategic Planning and Scientific Secretary of the Symposium, Jenni Rissanen. “With this year’s Symposium, we also wish to engage with new and previously unheard voices, in addition to seasoned safeguards practitioners.”

Discussions will cover the evolution of safeguards to date; addressing contemporary challenges; anticipating and preparing for a changing landscape; leveraging innovations for safeguards applications, and ways of engaging people and expanding partnerships.

All original contributions on these topics are welcome. Those wishing to present should submit an abstract of not more than 300 words through the Symposium’s web-based submission system (IAEA-INDICO).