IAEA announces web-based system for safeguards declarations
The International Atomic Energy Association (IAEA) recently announced that it plans to launch a web-based system next month, through which member states can submit safeguards declarations in order to make the nuclear verification process more efficient.
Safeguards declarations contain information about states’ nuclear material inventories and related activities. IAEA verifies these filings to ensure that states are fulfilling their safeguards duties. Today, these declarations are submitted via mail, fax, email or in-person.
“We are very excited to launch the Portal, which will make the process of submitting declarations much more efficient and reduce the overall time needed for the IAEA to process them,” Tero Varjoranta, IAEA Deputy Director General and Head of the Department of Safeguards, said.
Information submitted through the portal will be encrypted in order to protect its confidentiality.
The State Deceleration Portal is part of the IAEA’s Modernization of Safeguard Information Technology (MOSAIC) program that IAEA launched in 2015. MOSAIC involves replacing the safeguards communications system with more modern and secure communication methods.
States will not be required to use the portal, but IAEA is encouraging its use.
“States’ participation in this new initiative is completely voluntary but encouraged,” Varjoranta said. “It is in everyone’s interest to find efficient ways to enable the IAEA to provide credible assurances that States are honoring their legal obligations.”
