The CIL Nuclear Law and Policy Team participated in an international conference entitled “International Conference on a Decade of Progress after Fukushima-Daiichi: Building on the Lessons Learned to Further Strengthen Nuclear Safety” organised by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) from 8 to 12 November 2021. The week-long conference provided a platform where international safety experts and other leaders could look back on the lessons learned and results of actions undertaken at the national, regional and international levels following the accident and discuss ways for further strengthening nuclear safety.  The conference covered a range of topics under three broad themes – “International Perspective; Learning Lessons” and “Path Forward”. Topics covered included emergency preparedness and response; radiation safety; international cooperation; leadership and management for safety; communication and trust building; post-accident recovery; international legal instruments for safety and facing new challenges.  

As part of the conference, a special session was held by IAEA Director-General on the safety related aspects of handling ALPS (advanced liquid processing system) treated waters at Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant (NPP). This session provided an update from key officials from the IAEA and Japan about recent progress and planned future activities including plans on the review that the IAEA will conduct on Japan’s activities related to the treated water discharge. On the topic of international legal instruments, the effectiveness of the international legal instruments for safety, in particular, the Convention of Nuclear Safety (CNS) and the Vienna Declaration on Nuclear Safety (which was adopted after the accident to strengthen implementation of the CNS), can be further enhanced. Discussions centred around the peer review mechanism established by the CNS in the form of national reports on the implementation of a state’s obligations under the CNS for “peer review” in review meetings held every three years. Details of the events and speakers are available in the event’s programme.