Sessions 1&2: Country Report

Moderator:
Ms. Lydia Ilaiza Binti Saleh, Department of Atomic Energy Malaysia (Atom Malaysia), Malaysia
Dr. Abid Imtiaz, Bangladesh Atomic Energy Commission (BAEC), Bangladesh

10 countries (Bangladesh, China, Indonesia, Japan, Kazakhstan, Korea, Malaysia, Mongolia, Thailand, and Vietnam) presented their country reports to update the developments and improvements since the 2022 Workshop regarding the implementation of safeguards and nuclear security, the promotion of nuclear security culture and capacity building activities.

All countries reported close cooperation with international or regional organizations and other countries, to strengthen nuclear safeguards and security capacity building. Almost all countries have implemented activities to continuously improve their respective nuclear security and safeguards regime through bilateral and multilateral cooperation with the IAEA, other countries and organizations.

The consolidation of the country reports is covered in Session 6 of the Country Report Summary.

Session 3: Discussion on Nuclear Forensics

Moderator:
Ms. Gerelmaa Gombosuren, The Executive Office of the Nuclear Energy Commission, Government of Mongolia (NEC), Mongolia
Presentations were delivered by Japan, Thailand and Australia
Ms. Noro Naoko, Integrated Support Center for Nuclear Nonproliferation and Nuclear Security, Japan Atomic Energy Agency (ISCN/JAEA), Japan
Ms. Kaitlyn Toole, ANSTO, Australia
Mr. Nicholas Karantonis, ANSTO, Australia
Ms. Harinate Mungpayaban, Office of Atoms for Peace (OAP), Thailand

I. Results of regional hand-on training course on nuclear forensics in Thailand
Ms. NORO presented the results of the regional hands-on training course on nuclear forensics in Thailand, in July 2023. FNCA nuclear forensics-related questionnaire was conducted in 2017 and capacity building needs were identified. The first Regional Training Course (RTC) on nuclear forensics was conducted in 2019. Ms. NORO shared the result of 2023 RTC and some feedback from participants. She mentioned that was a good practice of identifying the capacity-building support needs among the FNCA members and implementing collaborative activities. OAP, Thailand, excellently demonstrated Thai nuclear forensics capabilities and shared good practices using state-of-the-art nuclear forensics laboratories. She shared some comments from the participants and emphasized that the training was very beneficial to all FNCA member countries and that the good practice of nuclear forensic analysis was of practical importance.

II. Results of RTC on practical introduction to nuclear forensics in Australia
Ms. TOOLE presented on RTC on practical introduction to nuclear forensics in Australia, November 2022. She briefly explains why Australia hosted the training: build networks with key regional partners, maximize return on investment in Australia's capability by sharing best practices and lessons learned, learn from course participants, grow internal capability, and support strengthening of regional nuclear security. She introduced participants and the expert team (IAEA, DOE/NNSA, and Australian Federal Police) as well as the training program. The training program had more practical exercises, which gave the participants practical knowledge. She shared some comments from the participants and concluded that the training was very beneficial.

III. Cs-137 capsule lost case
Mr. KARANTONIS presented the case study (lesson learned from an actual event) of Cs-137 capsule lost. He mentioned the detection and imaging - CORIS360 device. He described how the Australian response team worked to find the missing Cs-137 from Rio Tinto. He also mentioned having a set of equipment specifically set aside for such emergencies, being aware of capabilities within ANSTO/ Australia to draw upon, a more streamlined emergency response communication system, and training of additional disciplines, e.g., physicist. Using a similar strength source, ANSTO carried out multi-faceted activities such as pre-testing on campus, modification of technology to suit the situation, multidisciplinary collaboration adapting technology to context, and multi-stakeholder collaboration. He explained the three types of innovations: car mounted sensor payload, UAV/ drone sensor payload, and air tag with sensor payload.

IV. Cs-137 lost case in Thailand
Ms. MUNGPAYABAN presented the Cs-137 missing case in Thailand. She briefed that the March 2023 cylinder was reported missing during routine checks by staff at the coal power plant. The OAP took charge of finding the radioactive source by dividing it into three teams; radiation survey using car-borne, collecting soil and water surrounding the company for analysis, and searching in a waste recycling company. The OAP inspected the steel-melting plant during a search for a missing cylinder waste recycling company and found the Cs-137. Measurements of radiation environmental were made in air, soil, and water. External and internal dose measurements were performed. The OAP established a working group for the measurement of radiation environmental and management of contaminated scrap metal. The organizations participating in this activity were very aware of their roles and responsibilities.

V. Outline of short TTX in this WS
Ms. NORO presented the overview of tabletop exercise (TTX) on nuclear forensics in this workshop. TTX method uses a scenario for simulation, use maps, floor plans, manuals, guidance, etc., on the table, simple, cost-effective, and requires minimal resources, can be used to evaluate, tactics, techniques, procedures, policies, have advantages that can be used current nuclear security measures. She introduced the nuclear forensic TTX outline. Setting the scenario in a hypothetical country, players would be given injects and discussion questions. Depending on the questions, players would role-play or represent their own countries. Players would identify the gaps in nuclear forensics capability for future improvement and interagency coordination was encouraged.

Session 4: Discussion on Good Practice on Export Controls and AP Declaration

Moderator:
Ms. Harinate Mungpayaban, OAP, Thailand
Presentations were delivered by Kazakhstan, Mongolia and Vietnam
Mr. Alexandr Ossintsev, National Nuclear Center of the Republic of Kazakhstan (NNC), Kazakhstan
Ms. Gerelmaa Gombosuren, NEC, Mongolia
Mr. Can Viet Tuan, Vietnam Agency for Radiation and Nuclear Safety (VARANS), Vietnam

In this session, three member countries, Kazakhstan, Mongolia and Vietnam, shared their good practices on Export Control and Additional Protocol (AP) declaration.
At the roundtable discussion that followed, a summary of the survey on export control and an outline of the AP/Commodity Identification Training planned for next year were reported by Mr. Victor Siregar from ISCN/JAEA. Finally, we also discussed future plans.

I. Presentation by Mr. Alexandr Ossintsev
Mr. OSSINTSEV presented legislation of the Republic of Kazakhstan and structure of export control entitles to strengthen export control measures at the state border, which is the law on control of specific goods effective since 2022. The procedure of approval documents in export control and licensing issued was delivered, including defining the role and responsibilities of relevant authorities. Export control operations in Kazakhstan under the NPT agreement by complying with Kazakhstan's commitments were also described.

II. Presentation by Ms. Gerelmaa Gombosuren
Ms. GOMBOSUREN outlined a good procedure for export controls and AP declaration by raising the national legal system and binding instrument of Mongolia NPT safeguards agreement, Small Quantity Protocol (SQP), additional protocol, and comprehensive safeguards agreement regarding international export transfers. Regulation on Nuclear Material Accounting and Control (NMAC), implementation of safeguards in Mongolia, AP annual updated and quarterly declaration, and additional protocol implementation, including safeguards activity coordination with relevant organizations, were also addressed.

III. Presentation by Mr. Can Viet Tuan
Mr. CAN highlighted the legal framework for export and import control by focusing on the Atomic Energy Law (2008), guidelines from the IAEA documents, and EU CBRN Functional Project for control of dual-use items during export and import. The practice of export/import AP declarations was also presented by complying with articles 2 and 3 of the additional protocol, including safeguards reporting to the IAEA. The challenges were addressed by the limitation the level of enforcement within radiation safety complementary accesses (CA) and sanctioning regimes for noncompliance.

Session 5: Special Lecture

Moderator:
Ms. Maria Teresa A. Salabit, Philippine Nuclear Research Institute (PNRI), Philippines

Special Lecture on HEU Minimization of Research and Test Reactors in Japan
Prof. UNESAKI, Institute for Integrated Radiation and Nuclear Science, Kyoto University, presented on the quantitative and specific action and achievement on non-proliferation and nuclear security improvement. HEU minimization of research and test reactors is a straightforward and practical measure of civilian HEU minimization. He explained recent efforts of Japan that is significant achievement in "actual" threat reduction by safely removing significant amount of weapon-usable material. LEU conversion of US and EU High Performance Research Reactors is the last and largest step to eliminate civilian HEU supply chain.

Session 6: Country Report Summary

The compilation of the country report summary (from Sessions 1 and 2) was presented by Mr. Khairul (BRIN). Edits and comments were received and incorporated in the country report summary. The summary is attached to this report as "Country Report Summary." The updated Country Report Summary will be posted on the FNCA website.

Technical Visit

As a technical visit, we went to the physical protection laboratory of the nuclear security training and support center of BRIN and GA Siwabessy Multi-Purpose Reactor. We were able to make a very valuable visit.

Session 7: Future 3-Year Plan of Nuclear Security and Safeguards Project

Mr. NAOI Yosuke, Project Leader of Japan

The plans for the NSS project for the next three years (2024-2026) were discussed and the implementation details were roughly decided.
- Nuclear security: Gathering good practices on fostering nuclear security culture, RI security, Emerging threats (AI, Computer (Cyber) security, Beyond DBT), Transport Security of Radioactive Materials, Insider Threat Mitigation
- Safeguards: Human resource development plan and qualification (Rotation of human resource), Joint activities with APSN and/or other initiative such as ASEANTOM (e.g., safeguards by design)
- Capacity building through tabletop exercise and training: Tabletop exercise (e.g., Complementary Access, Nuclear forensics, Emergency response, Export control), Online AP-CIT (Commodity Identification) organized by ISCN/JAEA in Q2 or Q3, 2024

Session 8: Short TTX on Nuclear Forensics (ONLY in person)

Facilitator:
Ms. NORO Naoko, ISCN/JAEA, Japan
Mr. YAMAGUCHI Tomoki, ISCN/JAEA, Japan

As a special event at the workshop, the Tabletop Exercise (TTX) on nuclear forensics was provided at BRIN with the participation of the Indonesian stakeholders (National Police, Directorate General of Customs and Excise, National Intelligence Agency and Indonesia National Army), together with the FNCA Member States who joined the workshop in person. The background information on the TTX was presented by the facilitator, Ms. NORO of ISCN/JAEA. TTX used a scenario of fictitious nuclear security incident to discuss the necessary capability on nuclear forensics and identify the gaps. TTX was facilitated by Ms. NORO and Mr. YAMAGUCHI of ISCN. During the TTX, BRIN demonstrated the equipment used for detecting and identifying nuclear and radiological materials can be used for radiological crime scene management. Active participation during the discussions has identified important issues that should be addressed or strengthened or reinforced by the designated or responsible relevant entities in the FNCA Member States.

Session 9: Concluding Session

Mr. NAOI Yosuke, Project Leader of Japan, concluded the workshop by providing a summary of what had been discussed and the proposals made. In his closing remarks, he expressed the appreciation to Indonesia for hosting the workshop for 2023. He announced that the country hosting the 2024 workshop will be announced later.

Mr. KHAIRUL, Project Leader of Indonesia, affirmed the Indonesia's commitment in the FNCA project of Nuclear Security and Safeguards. He encouraged collaboration among FNCA members to achieve the objectives of this project.

After the delivery of the closing remarks, the Workshop was closed.

Attachment:

1. Agenda
2. List of Participants
3. Summary of Country Reports