News and information

On 22 February 2018 ISTC Executive Director Mr. David Cleave and Dr. Bismark Tyobeka, Chief Executive Officer of the RSA National Nuclear Regulator, signed a Memorandum of cooperation between their two respective organizations. This document lays the legal framework for existing and future joints action in the fields of nuclear safety, security and safeguards and the regionalization in Southern Africa and beyond of the results of their technical cooperation activities on the principles of equality and mutual benefit. The Memorandum of cooperation will foster and re-enforce collaborative activities such as scientific research, exchange of scientific and technological information and publications, participation in scientific fora, collaboration in implementing of relevant projects, assisting nuclear experts’ mobility and training in order to enhance achievements and expand outreach of relevant activities. Several years ago, the NNR established the first Centre of Excellence for Nuclear Safety and Security(CNSS) in South Africa, in partnership with local and international academic institutions as well as other relevant stakeholders. The CNSS is the first applied research and training establishment designed to serve South Africa’s nuclear sector It is precisely through CNSS that ISTC and NNR made the first steps towards mutually useful cooperation in the fall of last year.…

February 28, 2018. Thirty-two national representatives from the P 60 participating countries gathered for a technical meeting and a training in Addis Ababa last week. The meeting, convened by the sub-contractor in charge of the implementation of P 60, introduced the project’s team, the objectives and the scope defined by the terms of reference, the planned tasks and schedule of activities. Representatives from ISTC and EC DEVCO provided overview and details about the regional and thematic context that shapes the specific project’s goals and activities. The national experts from the participating countries talked about their needs, expectations, and priorities related to the project themes and scope. They depicted the status of activities in their respective countries, as well as the specific focus and expectations from services and products from the project. Throughout the exchange of views, the meeting’s participants touched on the existing legislative frameworks, inventory and regulatory control of RN material and the national EPR plans (emergency plans and contingency plans) for RN incidents. The cross border cooperation and exercises, as well as capacity building needs were further elaborated. A three-day training workshop followed the technical kicks-off meeting.  A team of international experts led the workshop, themed “Cradle to…

In the frame of the CoE project 60, the Workshop on the “Cradle to grave control of radioactive material” was conducted from 21 to 23 February 2018 in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. 23 experts from 10 partner countries (PC) that participate in the P 60 attended (including two female participants). Four experts of the Implementing Consortium (ENCO, SCK-CEN, and STUK) as well as the CoE OSA Nairobi Technical expert were also present at the Workshop. The objectives of the Workshop were to present international standards and requirements as well as good practices related to the safety and security of radioactive sources through their entire lifecycle. The Workshop also discussed the use of the inventory management tools for managing radioactive sources in PCs. The Workshop covered the aims of the national policy and strategy for management of radioactive sources, legislative requirements on safety and security, safe and secure management during all activities associated with radioactive sources during their entire lifecycle, inventory, incidents and accidents involving radioactive sources, etc. All these themes were supported by exhaustive explanations on the international (e.g. IAEA) and EU requirements (Directives and Regulations) and good practices. Documents and examples of good practice have been identified and made available…

4 December 2017, Nairobi, Astana.  A two-day international integrated workshop on nuclear advocacy and communication, convened by the African Young Generation in Nuclear (AYGN) and supported by the ISTC, gathered in Nairobi, Kenya, over 100 university students, young researchers and industry professionals from a dozen African countries. Talks and interactive discussions covered a wide range of topics from communicating benefits of nuclear science and technology to nuclear risk and crisis communication, to opportunities and challenges for nuclear in East Africa. A group of senior professionals led the topical discussions. Dr. Kamen Velcihkov, ISTC, conducted a workshop on best practices in nuclear safety and security, Ms Marielle Rogie, Belgium Nuclear Forum, discussed nuclear advocacy from industry perspective and Mme Sheriffah Noor Khamseah, innovation and nuclear expert from Malaysia, talked about the engagement of stakeholders in spreading nuclear safety and security culture. The event, which was part of the Future Energy East Africa Conference, offered ample opportunities to future African leaders meet senior professionals from international companies such as Siemens, Rosatom, McKinsey, Schneider Electric and others, as well as talk to government officials, nuclear and energy regulators, and international development partners. The Conference was opened by Dr Joseph Njoroge, Principal Secretary, Ministry…

On Monday 11th September, 2017 ISTC's Executive Director met with a South African Delegation at ISTC's offices led by South African Ambassador Ms. Keitumetsi Mathews along with Mr. Francois Davel, Director of International Cooperation and Resources and Mr. Tebogo Makoma of the Department of Science and Technology for South Africa and Desk Officer for Kazakhstan. The Secretariat gave a presentation and informed the South African Delegation on ISTC's capabilities and activities with special reference to the EU CoE CBRN activities in Central Asia and more relevantly the CBRN CoE ISTC implemented projects promoting inter-regional connectivity that are currently underway in Africa as part of two major activities namely Project P60 in support of the EU Center of Excellence (CoE) for Eastern and Central Africa involving and collaborating with 12 African Countries in a range of activities from training's and field exercises to recovery of orphan sources, to recommendations on legal and regulatory frameworks for the management of nuclear materials. Additionally presented was the second project MC.5.01/15B in support to South African States in Nuclear Safeguards and Security a project in support to the Southern African Development Community (SADC) to improve nuclear safety in four countries - Tanzania, Malawi, Zambia and…

Astana, Pretoria, 25 September 2017. ISTC and the National Nuclear Regulator (NNR) of the Republic of South Africa (RSA) have jointly convened on 7 and 8 September in Pretoria the inaugural meeting of the project “Support to Southern African States in Nuclear Safety and Safeguards” (project MC 5.01/15B), funded by the European Union’s Instrument for Nuclear Safety Cooperation. Mr. Eddie Maier, Deputy Head of Unit, European Commission’s Directorate General for International Cooperation and Development (DEVCO), Dr. Bismark Tyobeka, Chief Executive Officer, NNR, and Ms. Elsie Monale, Chief Director, Nuclear Non - Proliferation and Radiation Security at the Ministry of Energy of South Africa made opening remarks, setting the scene for the presentation of project MC 5.01/15B and putting the discussion in context. Dr Kamen Velichkov, ISTC Senior Programme Manager and Diplomatic Advisor provided updates on the Inception phase of the project and suggested its Key Performance indicators, Communication and Work Plan, and Implementation Schedule. Twenty-three government officials and experts from Malawi, Tanzania, Zambia and the RSA together with representatives of the European Union and the implementing partner - the ISTC, took part in the discussion. The transportation of Uranium Ore Concentrates (UOC) crosses several countries in the Southern part of…

On 1 September 2017, by invitation of ISTC, a delegation from Ghana visited the organization’s Main Building at Nazarbayev University, comprising of Dr. Kodzo Alabo, Ambassador to the Russian Federation and to Kazakhstan; Theo Asante-Darko, General manager, Electricity Company of Ghana, and Mr. Alfred Antwiannor, Export Trade Division, ministry of Trade and Industry. During the exchange of views, it transpired that Project – 60 could be very useful for Ghana in view of the government intentions towards the use of nuclear power for electricity generation. The Ministry of Trade and Industry expressed also an interest towards the Export Control on Dual-use Materials and technology – a new EU-funded project to be implemented by ISTC. The possibility for Ghana to apply for an observer status to ISTC also came under scrutiny. Both sides expressed satisfaction over the cooperation within Project – 60 and assessed the prospects for cooperation of Ghana with ISTC as promising.    

Astana, 17 June 2017. The Steering Committee of Project 60 “Support to the EU CBRN Center of Excellence of East and Central Africa in Nuclear Security” approved a package of provisions and plans for the advancement of the project to its substantial phase. It will include trainings, field exercises and sharing of expertise – all fine-tuned to improve the institutional set-ups, legal regulations and human capabilities that address radiological and nuclear incidents and accidents in the 12 participating countries: Burundi, Democratic Republic of Congo, Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Malawi, Rwanda, The Seychelles, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia and Namibia. The SC members discussed as well how a range of questions about the nuclear security context in their countries could be adressed through coallaboration during the implementation of the project. Take-back arrangements for nuclear material and sources to the country of origin, lack of nuclear waste management facilities, and efficient public awareness efforts were the subjects that topped the discussion. Within these concerns, the project’s Communication and Visibility plan was vividly discussed together with the preparation of the project’s website. Project 60 Steering Committee was convened by the project’s implementing partner - the International Science and Technology Center (ISTC) in Astana on 12 June…

14 June 2017, Astana. Gumilyov Eurasian National University offered its premises and active support to organizers, participants and guests of the Regional Radiological Emergency Response Tabletop Exercise “SUNKAR” that took place in Astana on 13 and 14 June, convened by the European Commission and the International Science and Technology Center with support from the European Union Chemical Biological Radiological and Nuclear (CBRN) Center of Excellence (CoE) for Central Asia, the Vienna-based engineering and management consultancy ENCO and the Kazakhstan’s Institute of Nuclear Physics. Baubek Somzhrek, ENU’s Vice-Rector for International Relations and Innovation and  Gulnara Merzadinova, ENU’s Vice-Rector for research, welcomed at the University’s museum of cultural and historical heritage guests from the European Commission, representatives of the US and Japanese embassies, members of the Governing Board of the International Science and Technology Center, participants and observers in the regional radiological emergency response exercise from more than 20 countries across Central Asia, Africa, the Middle East and South East Europe. They all gathered at ENU for the closing session of the exercise that represented a simulation of the decision making process on the selection and implementation of emergency protection and recovery measures upon a stealing of a sealed high activity source.…