OAP led by Assoc. Prof. Pasit Lorterapong, OAP Secretary General, along with a team of executives and representatives from Thailand, participated in the 68th General Conference of the International Atomic Energy Agency, held from September 16 to 20, 2024, at the IAEA headquarters in Vienna, Austria. The Thai delegation was led by H.E. Vilawan Mangklatanakul, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Thailand to the United Nations and other International Organizations in Vienna. Thailand, as a member of the IAEA, participated in the conference to report on the promotion and support for the peaceful use of nuclear energy during 2024, with the assistance of the IAEA, and to discuss future plans with member countries globally to ensure the safety and security of people and the environment.
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Pasit Lorterapong revealed that key topics and policies discussed at this conference included:
• Election of the Board of Governors (BOG),
• Measures on nuclear safety and security,
• Agreements on technical cooperation activities provided by the IAEA to member countries,
• Non-proliferation measures for nuclear weapons in North Korea and the Middle East, and more. The conference also focused on monitoring member countries’ compliance with nuclear and radiation safety regulations, including transportation safety and the management of radioactive waste. Discussions were held on regulatory issues and shared best practices to ensure compliance with relevant conventions such as:
• The Convention on Nuclear Safety,
• The Convention on the Physical Protection of Nuclear Material,
• The Joint Convention on the Safety of Spent Fuel Management and the Safety of Radioactive Waste Management.
In addition, the 68th IAEA General Conference featured parallel meetings and activities in which Thailand participated, including:
• Technical Cooperation Bilateral meetings/consultations,
• The IAEA Scientific Forum 2024 under the theme “Atoms4Food: Better Agriculture for Better Life,”
• A meeting with the Chairman of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission of the United States (USNRC),
• A meeting with Électricité de France (EDF),
• The Senior Safety and Security Regulators’ Meeting.
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Pasit Lorterapong added that Thailand’s participation in this conference is crucial for the OAP’s operations. It creates opportunities for collaboration with the IAEA in areas such as information and knowledge sharing, technical and academic cooperation, and especially the application of nuclear technology to support Thailand’s future nuclear power plant policy. It also fosters cooperation within ASEAN in the field of nuclear energy to enhance capabilities and build understanding of nuclear power policies. Thailand emphasized its readiness to support compliance with international obligations and relevant IAEA agreements, reaffirming its commitment to collaborate with the IAEA and other member countries on technical cooperation and nuclear safety initiatives to ensure long-term safety for people and the environment.
