IAEA Meeting Advances Generic RoadMap to Strengthen Global Nuclear Safety

The GRM project represents a major step in the IAEA’s efforts to promote a harmonized and resilient global nuclear safety regime.

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) convened an international meeting this week to advance the Generic RoadMap (GRM) project, a strategic initiative designed to help newcomer countries establish and sustain robust nuclear safety infrastructure. The discussions underscored the growing importance of capacity building, regulatory adaptability, and knowledge sharing as more nations turn to nuclear power to meet rising energy demands while reducing carbon emissions.

“As countries look for ways to address their energy needs, nuclear power is attracting increasing attention,” said Anna Bradford, Director of the IAEA Division of Nuclear Installation Safety. “New modalities and initiatives are needed to support efforts to strengthen the global nuclear safety regime.”

The meeting brought together experts from regulatory authorities, technical support organizations (TSOs), and nuclear energy institutions to review and refine the draft GRM Safety Report, a key guidance document aimed at helping Member States align their national frameworks with IAEA safety standards.

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The Generic RoadMap: Guiding Newcomers in Nuclear Safety

Launched in 2020, the Generic RoadMap (GRM) is part of the IAEA’s broader initiative to reinforce nuclear safety infrastructure worldwide. It serves as a practical guide for countries embarking on or expanding nuclear power programmes, providing detailed advice on how to establish, implement, and maintain comprehensive safety measures from the early planning stage through operation.

The GRM builds upon the IAEA Safety Standards document SSG-16 (Rev.1) — “Establishing the Safety Infrastructure for a Nuclear Power Programme” — which outlines a structured framework of actions, responsibilities, and milestones necessary for developing a national nuclear safety regime.

Supported by a suite of training materials, peer review services, and technical publications, the GRM offers hands-on tools and lessons learned from countries that have already undertaken the complex journey toward nuclear power deployment. Its flexible and modular approach allows it to be adapted to the unique political, technical, and institutional contexts of each participating Member State.

“The GRM can be utilized by Member States at various levels of nuclear maturity and across different phases to establish or enhance their nuclear safety infrastructure,” said Idris Yau Usman, Co-chair of the meeting and Chairman of the Nigerian Nuclear Regulatory Authority. “It supports the integration of lessons learned, helps avoid common challenges, and promotes the harmonization of international regulatory practices.”

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Building Capacity and Integrating Safety Infrastructure

At the meeting, IAEA experts presented the draft GRM Safety Report, a comprehensive document that provides countries with step-by-step guidance on how to meet safety standards throughout the lifecycle of a nuclear power plant. The report takes a strategic, timeline-based approach, outlining priorities and tasks during the preparatory, construction, commissioning, and operational phases of a reactor project.

Participants engaged in interactive sessions examining case studies from established and newcomer nuclear nations, identifying common challenges such as human resource limitations, regulatory coordination, and institutional readiness. Experts emphasized the centrality of technical support organizations (TSOs) in helping regulatory bodies maintain independent, expert oversight of nuclear activities.

The meeting also underscored the need for continuous education, training, and capacity building to sustain a skilled workforce capable of managing nuclear safety. The IAEA’s integrated approach — which combines technical guidance, peer learning, and capacity development — was recognized as a cornerstone for safe and sustainable nuclear energy deployment.

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Regulatory Adaptability and Innovation

A key theme emerging from the discussions was the need for adaptable regulatory frameworks capable of addressing emerging reactor technologies, particularly small modular reactors (SMRs) and advanced nuclear systems.

Experts advocated for performance-based and goal-setting approaches to regulation — models that set broad safety objectives rather than prescribing rigid technical requirements — to better accommodate the innovative designs and modular construction features of next-generation reactors.

“Regulatory adaptability is crucial,” said one participant. “As technology evolves, our safety systems must evolve with it. The GRM provides a structure that supports flexibility while maintaining rigorous safety standards.”

This adaptive approach, participants agreed, ensures that innovation does not come at the expense of safety, and that countries embarking on nuclear power programmes can integrate modern technologies and digital solutions into their regulatory and operational frameworks.

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Tools for Knowledge Sharing and Standardization

The meeting also showcased the NSS-OUI Tool for Safety Standards, a new digital resource that simplifies access to and navigation of the IAEA Safety Standards and Nuclear Security Guidance. The tool enables users — from policymakers to engineers — to quickly locate relevant standards and cross-reference them with national frameworks, facilitating harmonization and efficient implementation.

This demonstration highlighted the IAEA’s commitment to modernizing safety knowledge management and ensuring that guidance materials remain accessible to a diverse audience of nuclear professionals worldwide.

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Strengthening Global Nuclear Safety Through Collaboration

The GRM project represents a major step in the IAEA’s efforts to promote a harmonized and resilient global nuclear safety regime. By fostering collaboration among Member States, regulatory authorities, and international experts, the initiative aims to ensure that every new or expanding nuclear programme is grounded in the highest safety principles.

The meeting participants reaffirmed that strong nuclear safety infrastructure — including clear legal frameworks, independent regulators, trained personnel, and robust emergency preparedness — is essential for public trust and sustainable nuclear growth.

“Building safety infrastructure is not a one-time task but a continuous process,” said Anna Bradford. “Through the Generic RoadMap, the IAEA provides Member States with a living framework that evolves with their progress and experience.”

The outcomes of the meeting will feed into the finalization of the GRM Safety Report, which will be published as part of the IAEA Safety Reports Series. Once released, it will serve as a reference document for national regulators, policymakers, and technical organizations across the world — reinforcing the IAEA’s mission to make nuclear energy safe, secure, and sustainable.