🇷🇺 The fourth educational mission of the Primakov Center to international organizations and research institutions based in Vienna has come to an end.

⚛️ Over the course of one week, participants had an opportunity not only to deepen their understanding of the contemporary nuclear agenda, but also to gain first-hand insight into how decisions are made, how international mechanisms operate, and how technologies and tools are applied in practice - areas that are often encountered primarily through documents and academic materials. Meetings with heads and senior representatives of international organizations, diplomats and experts allowed participants to connect their theoretical knowledge with the practical realities of international cooperation.

🔵 Peaceful uses of nuclear energy and the work of the IAEA

Participants visited the IAEA Department of Safeguards, the Incident and Emergency Centre and the Agency’s laboratories in Seibersdorf. They learned how environmental samples are analysed, how nuclear technologies are applied in agriculture, and how international response to nuclear and radiological incidents is coordinated.

As part of the IAEA General Conference, participants also familiarized themselves with current issues related to the peaceful uses of nuclear energy, nuclear safety and security, and non-proliferation, and attended a number of side events focusing on the development of small-scale nuclear power, the application of artificial intelligence and other areas.

A separate highlight of the programme was a meeting with IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi. Discussions focused on Iran’s nuclear programme, the risks of nuclear proliferation, the safety and security of nuclear facilities amid armed conflicts, and prospects for international cooperation in the nuclear field.

🔵 Nuclear-test ban

Considerable attention was devoted to the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT) and the International Monitoring System established under the Treaty.

Participants met with Dr. Robert Floyd, Executive Secretary of the Preparatory Commission for the CTBTO, and visited the International Data Centre and International Monitoring System facilities located at the Vienna International Centre.

They gained first-hand insight into how the global system for detecting nuclear explosions operates - from the transmission of data from monitoring stations around the world to its processing and analysis at the International Data Centre.

🔵 International diplomacy

Participants met with Permanent Representative of the Russian Federation to the International Organizations in Vienna Mikhail Ulyanov, as well as members of the Permanent Mission.

The discussions covered the practical aspects of Russian diplomatic work within international organizations, the specifics of multilateral engagement, and current issues on the international nuclear agenda.

Over the course of the mission, participants were able to gain first-hand insight into the work of Vienna-based institutions, engage directly with their representatives, and develop a better understanding of how the scientific, technical and political dimensions of the nuclear field come together within the framework of international cooperation.

The opportunity to engage directly with experts, observe the work of specialized institutions and discuss current issues with professionals working on them on a daily basis was one of the key outcomes of the mission.