The IAEA hosted the National Workshop on Nuclear Law for Research Reactors for about 25 senior officials and decision makers from Viet Nam, in September. The virtual workshop focused on the international and national legal frameworks for emergency preparedness and response, safeguards and civil liability for nuclear damage.
This was the second workshop hosted to strengthen Viet Nam's national legal framework for the planned operation of new research reactor by 2026. The first virtual workshop was held in November 2020 and focused on the international legal instruments on nuclear safety and security relevant to research reactors.
"We recognize the importance of having a comprehensive and robust nuclear legal framework to support our nuclear projects and to implement relevant international legal instruments in this field," said Nguyen Tuan Khai, Director General of the Viet Nam Agency for Radiation and Nuclear Safety (VARANS). "This virtual workshop supports our efforts to strengthen our national legal framework. We look forward to further cooperation with the IAEA in this field."
From 14 to 15 September, IAEA experts and participants engaged in productive and interactive discussions on emergency preparedness and response, safeguards and nuclear liability.
"Besides this workshop, Viet Nam has benefitted from bilateral legislative assistance, regional workshops and interregional training activities, such as the Nuclear Law Institute, a two-week intensive nuclear law training course," said Wolfram Tonhauser, Head of the IAEA's Nuclear and Treaty Law Section. "We stand ready to support, upon request, the review of the new draft Atomic Energy Law."
Representatives from VARANS, Ministry of Science and Technology, Ministry of Justice, Vietnam Atomic Energy Agency, Office of Viet Nam National Committee for Search and Rescue, Vietnam Atomic Energy Institute, Nuclear Research Institute, Embassy and Permanent Mission of Vietnam in Vienna participated the event.
The virtual workshop was implemented within the framework of the IAEA Legislative Assistance Programme under the regional technical cooperation project, "Establishing and Enhancing National Nuclear Legal Frameworks in Member States of Asia and the Pacific".
