IAEA hosts meeting to assist El Salvador in refining country's draft nuclear law

Daniel Álvarez, the Director General of Energy, Hydrocarbons and Mines, emphasized the significance of this initiative for El Salvador.

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) recently hosted a significant meeting with representatives from El Salvador to assist in refining the country's draft nuclear law. This event, held on March 21 and 22, 2024, at the IAEA Headquarters, was organized by the IAEA's Office of Legal Affairs (OLA) and included participation from officials of El Salvador's Directorate General of Energy, Hydrocarbons, and Mines, the Permanent Mission of El Salvador to the IAEA, and other governmental bodies.

The primary goal of this collaborative meeting was to review and enhance El Salvador's draft legislation aimed at ensuring the safe, secure, and peaceful use of nuclear energy. Expert discussions centered around the technical aspects of nuclear law, key components of comprehensive national nuclear legislation, and El Salvador's obligations under international treaties related to nuclear energy.

Daniel Álvarez, the Director General of Energy, Hydrocarbons and Mines, emphasized the significance of this initiative for El Salvador. He remarked on the country's commitment to transitioning to nuclear energy as part of its broader strategy for environmental protection, energy security, and economic development, describing it as a "historic step" in the nation's progress.

Anthony Wetherall, the Head of the OLA's Nuclear and Treaty Law Section, praised El Salvador's efforts in developing this draft law and expressed readiness to continue supporting the country through the IAEA's Legislative Assistance Programme. This program is part of the IAEA's Technical Cooperation Programme, which aids member states in developing and enhancing their national legal frameworks for nuclear energy.

The meeting also saw El Salvador take significant steps in integrating into the global nuclear safety framework by depositing instruments of acceptance and accession with IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi. These included acceptance of the Agreement on the Privileges and Immunities of the IAEA and accession to both the Convention on Nuclear Safety and the Vienna Convention on Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage.

This engagement marks a continuing effort by El Salvador to bolster its national capabilities in nuclear legislation and safety, building on previous initiatives including a national workshop and awareness mission in February 2023 and various participatory and educational visits to IAEA Headquarters.