The Regulatory Cooperation Forum (RCF), established 10 years ago with the support of the International Atomic Energy Agency, has launched a new plan to focus this support around overcoming six typical key challenges.
The 2020-2024 Regulatory Cooperation Forum (RCF) Strategic Plan provides objectives to address the six common challenges in developing regulatory framework for countries introducing or expanding their nuclear power programmes. The challenges are: maintaining independence, securing adequate funding for regulators, human resource development for regulators, development of regulations and guides, effective management of technical support organisations, and the involvement of the public by the regulator.
The plan will be a topic of discussion at a virtual side event taking place during the 64th IAEA General Conference. The event will be livestreamed on 25 September between 13:00-15:00.
The RCF is made up of nuclear safety regulators from 26 countries as well as the European Commission, the OECD Nuclear Energy Agency and the International Atomic Energy Agency. It promotes the sharing of regulatory knowledge and experience through international cooperation.
The IAEA said a number of countries, including Egypt, Jordan, Nigeria and Poland, have plans or show interest in introducing a new nuclear power programme, in addition to those constructing new nuclear power plants. “This is a major undertaking that requires careful planning, preparation and investment in time, institutions and human resources,” the agency said.
