Decision (CFSP) 2020/1656 is amended as follows:
(1)
in Article 1(2), the following point is added:
‘(g)
assistance to Ukraine in ensuring the maintenance of its nuclear security regime.’;
(2)
in Article 5, paragraph 2 is replaced by the following:
‘2. This Decision shall expire on 31 March 2024.’;
(3)
the Annex is amended as follows:
(a)
in Heading 3, the title of Project 2 is replaced by the following:
‘Project 2: Concept Paper on the application of physical protection measures in the age of COVID-19’;
(b)
the following heading is added:
‘7.
Heading 7: Nuclear Security Assistance to Ukraine
Background
As stated by the Director-General of the IAEA in his two Summary Reports of 28 April and of 6 September 2022 on Nuclear Safety, Security and Safeguards in Ukraine, the situation in Ukraine is unprecedented as it is the first time a military conflict has occurred amid the facilities of a large, established nuclear power programme, which in this case also includes the site of the 1986 accident at the Chornobyl Nuclear Power Plant (NPP). From the very beginning of the conflict, the IAEA has been monitoring the safety and security of Ukraine’s nuclear facilities and of its radioactive sources. Military actions have compromised the safety of radiation sources, destroyed infrastructure at Ukraine’s Neutron Source and other nuclear facilities, damaged waste repositories, threatened collateral damage at nuclear power plants, and negatively impacted Chornobyl NPP and its Exclusion Zone, Zaporizhzhya NPP, and their staff, in multiple ways.
Gradually the IAEA, in close collaboration with Ukraine, has progressed in identifying and beginning to address what needs to be done to uphold the highest possible level of safety and security at Ukraine’s nuclear facilities. In March 2022, the IAEA and its Ukrainian counterparts reached an agreement on the scope of the technical support and assistance to Ukraine for safety and security, and on the fact that the IAEA, working with Member States, would be the single point of contact for that technical assistance. The comprehensive programme of assistance will include: remote technical assistance; on-the-ground technical assistance; the delivery of equipment; and the readiness to rapidly deploy assistance, if needed. The detailed assessments of Ukraine’s security and safety needs are underway, including the delivery of equipment. Funds to continue with the provision of such assistance are needed.
As regards nuclear security, the situation has created unprecedented challenges in relation to the physical integrity of nuclear facilities and to the structures, systems and components at the basis of the nuclear security regime in existing nuclear facilities in Ukraine. The physical integrity of facilities and operability of systems important to security in other facilities and activities using nuclear or radioactive material for research, medicine, industry and similar purposes is also to be considered. Further missions will be needed to comprehensively assess the nuclear security needs.
Objectives
The purpose of this project is to assist Ukraine in ensuring the maintenance of its nuclear security regime.
Deliverables
1.
Identification and assessment of the nuclear security needs of Ukraine, including through expert missions, where appropriate.
2.
Procurement of equipment needed for the security of nuclear material and facilities, radioactive material in use, storage and of associated facilities, complemented by associated training as needed. This includes the repairs, strengthening and upgrading of existing physical protection systems.
3.
Provision of IAEA assistance to the competent authority of Ukraine to regain regulatory control over radioactive sources out of regulatory control.
Outcome
Improved implementation of the nuclear security regime at Ukraine’s nuclear facilities and for nuclear and radioactive material, associated facilities and associated activities.
In cooperation with Ukraine, the maintenance of an up-to-date and accurate assessment of national nuclear security needs, to be addressed by the IAEA.’