IAEA workshops boost regional cooperation, advance global nuclear liability regime

The CSC is a key instrument for establishing a global nuclear liability regime, ensuring consistent compensation standards and international cooperation in the event of a nuclear accident.

Two regional workshops organized by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) from October to December 2025 have significantly advanced understanding and cooperation on nuclear liability, while encouraging broader adherence to the Convention on Supplementary Compensation for Nuclear Damage (CSC). The CSC is a key instrument for establishing a global nuclear liability regime, ensuring consistent compensation standards and international cooperation in the event of a nuclear accident.

These workshops support the IAEA General Conference’s long-standing call for the early achievement of a worldwide nuclear liability system.

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Lithuania Workshop: Highlighting the CSC’s Bridging Role

Held from 21–24 October 2025 in Vilnius, Lithuania, the first workshop gathered 14 representatives from nine East European countries, including government agencies and nuclear regulatory bodies.

Lithuania’s Vice-Minister of Energy Airidas Daukšas opened the event by stressing the CSC’s unique strength as an instrument that bridges the Paris, Vienna, and CSC Annex liability regimes.

“The CSC offers a solid foundation for the global nuclear liability regime. As an instrument open to all States, it can serve as a bridge … fostering greater international cooperation and coherence,” he said.

Key Discussions

• Experts explored the legal and practical implications of the CSC.

• Participants shared national approaches to nuclear liability.

• Poland’s progress toward accession to the CSC drew significant attention.

Poland aims to accede by early 2027, according to Beata Sparażyńska from the Ministry of Industry. She highlighted a landmark EU development:

“The European Commission is drafting an EU Council decision authorising Poland’s accession to the CSC … This will be the first time the EU will look into this matter since Romania joined the CSC before entering the EU.”

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Thailand Workshop: Building Understanding in Emerging Nuclear Countries

The second workshop took place on 2–3 December 2025 in Bangkok, co-organized with Thailand’s Office of Atoms for Peace (OAP). It brought together 12 participants from six countries embarking on nuclear power programmes: Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Viet Nam.

Malaysia’s representative Rozman Mohd Tahar emphasized the regional significance:

“Such workshops are vital to strengthen our collective understanding of the CSC … They ensure States recognize the strategic importance of a coherent global nuclear liability regime.”

Vietnam’s Vu Ha noted the practical value for emerging nuclear nations:

“Gaining clarity on the CSC’s provisions and implementation is crucial for any State considering a nuclear power programme.”

Participants agreed that the workshops deepened their comprehension of the CSC’s structure, purpose, and place within the global liability landscape—supporting informed national decisions on accession.

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Thailand–IAEA Bilateral Engagement: Advancing National Legislation

Before and after the Thailand workshop, the IAEA held bilateral meetings with Thai authorities on 1 and 4 December 2025 to support Thailand’s drafting of national nuclear liability legislation.

Activities included:

• An awareness-raising session with 102 representatives from key Thai institutions, including energy regulators, insurance authorities, and legal offices.

• A legislative drafting meeting with a 15-member team from OAP to review comments on the draft Act on Civil Liability for Nuclear and Radiation Damage.

These exchanges reinforce Thailand’s commitment to aligning its legal framework with international nuclear liability standards.

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Strengthening the Path Toward a Global Nuclear Liability Regime

Across both workshops, participants expressed strong support for continued cooperation, information exchange, and follow-up actions to accelerate progress toward a robust global nuclear liability regime. The sessions reflected growing regional momentum to harmonize legal frameworks, improve preparedness, and promote responsible nuclear development.

The IAEA’s sustained engagement underscores the importance of nuclear liability as a core component of nuclear safety, international trust, and public confidence in peaceful nuclear power.