Vienna Study Mission | Day Two ⚛

The second day began by looking ahead at the future of the nuclear agenda and continued with an exploration of how non-proliferation mechanisms work in practice.

🔵 At the Open Nuclear Network, participants stepped into the role of forecasters: they assessed the likelihood of Iran withdrawing from the NPT and a CTBT signatory conducting a nuclear test, and then examined the factors that could influence both scenarios.

🔵 The highlight of the day was a meeting with IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi. The discussion covered Iran and proliferation risks in the Middle East, the safety of civilian nuclear facilities during armed conflicts, the ITER project, floating nuclear power units, and the future of peaceful uses of nuclear energy.

🔵 At the Rosatom side event “AI for Nuclear Energy: Deployment, Safety and Scalability,” the discussion focused on practical applications of artificial intelligence in the nuclear sector and the conditions needed for its safe deployment.

🔵 The group then visited the IAEA Department of Safeguards, where participants learned how the Agency verifies the peaceful use of nuclear material and how inspections are conducted in practice.

The day concluded with the plenary session of the 70th IAEA General Conference, offering participants a firsthand look at the work of the Agency’s main annual policymaking body.

Today brings even more hands-on experience: a visit to the IAEA laboratories in Seibersdorf and a closer look at the work of the CTBTO Preparatory Commission.

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