Strengthening Global Nuclear Security Through IPPAS Missions
For three decades, the IAEA's International Physical Protection Advisory Service (IPPAS) has been a cornerstone of the IAEA's nuclear security programme to enhance nuclear security. Established in 1995, IPPAS assists countries in strengthening their nuclear security regimes, focusing on the physical protection of nuclear and other radioactive material, associated facilities and activities.
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<em>An IPPAS team visit to the Cernavoda Nuclear Power Plant in Romania to assess nuclear security measures in the facility in 2024. (Photo: M. Klingenboeck/IAEA)
The IPPAS guidelines focus on support that is tailored to a country's needs, allowing them to choose from five independent modules that cover: national regulatory frameworks, nuclear facilities, material transport, radioactive material security and computer security.
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<em>Visit to medical sites in Cuba to assess the progress of an ongoing project to upgrade physical protection systems for the security of radioactive sources in 2016. (Photo: IAEA)</em>
The IPPAS programme continuously evolves to address emerging challenges in nuclear security and to improve the breadth of our services to countries. For example, a new sixth IPPAS module is currently being developed to review nuclear material accounting and control.
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<emThe IPPAS team visit Rwanda's Gisagara Thermal Power Station, which utilizes radioactive sources for measurement purposes in 2024. (Photo: Rwanda Utilities Regulatory Authority)</em>
Each voluntary IPPAS mission is conducted upon a country's request. The IPPAS teams are comprised of international nuclear security experts. The team's multidisciplinary approach ensures that recommendations are practical, effective and aligned with international good practices and the IAEA's nuclear security guidance.
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<em>IPPAS team <a href="https://www.iaea.org/newscenter/pressreleases/iaea-completes-international-physical-protection-advisory-service-mission-in-kuwait">visit to the Kuwait Cancer Control Centre's Gamma Knife facility</a> in 2023. (Photo: IAEA)</em>
IPPAS missions provide a confidential environment for countries to voluntarily address physical protection challenges and specific associated measures to address such challenges. The exchange of knowledge and experiences empowers countries to adopt robust physical protection and computer security measures for protecting nuclear and other radioactive material and facilities.
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<em>IPPAS team visit to the <a href="https://www.iaea.org/newscenter/pressreleases/iaea-completes-international-physical-protection-advisory-service-mission-in-the-united-states">Sandia Pulsed Reactor Facility - Critical Experiments (SPRF/CX)</a> at Sandia National Laboratories in Albuquerque, New Mexico in the United States. (Photo: Bret Latter/Sandia National Laboratories)</em>
In 2023, the 100th IPPAS mission was completed in Zambia, marking a significant achievement in global nuclear security. Since the first missions to Bulgaria and Slovenia in 1996, more than 60 countries have hosted IPPAS missions, demonstrating their commitment to strengthening nuclear security frameworks.
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<em>IPPAS team <a href="https://www.iaea.org/newscenter/pressreleases/iaea-concludes-international-physical-protection-advisory-service-mission-in-zambia">visit to the Cancer Diseases Hospital in Lusaka</a> in 2023. (Photo: Radiation Protection Authority of Zambia)</em>
Recommendations and advice provided during IPPAS missions have led to tangible improvements in nuclear security systems worldwide. Host countries implement enhanced physical protection measures and align their practices with international instruments such as the Convention on the Physical Protection of Nuclear Material and its Amendment as well as the Code of Conduct on the Safety and Security of Radioactive Sources. Upon request, a follow-up IPPAS mission can assess the progress of implementing previous mission’s recommendations and suggestions.
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<em>IPPAS team <a href="https://www.iaea.org/newscenter/pressreleases/iaea-completes-international-physical-protection-advisory-service-mission-in-zimbabwe">visit to a radioactive waste management facility in Zimbabwe</a> to review physical protection measures in 2024. (Photo: Radiation Protection Authority of Zimbabwe)</em>
By participating in IPPAS missions, countries build resilience against potential threats, protecting people and the environment. They also demonstrate their commitment to nuclear security including information exchange and international cooperation.
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<em>A team of international nuclear security experts meet with national stakeholders during an <a href="https://www.iaea.org/newscenter/pressreleases/iaea-completes-international-physical-protection-advisory-service-mission-in-romania">IPPAS mission in Romania</a> in 2024. (Photo: M. Klingenboeck/IAEA)</em>
The establishment of the IPPAS Good Practices Database in 2016 facilitated the exchange of information by promoting the sharing of specific positive mission observations and innovative practices, with the host country's permission, with the international nuclear security community. Balancing confidentiality with information sharing considerations, the database is only available to countries' designated points of contact. This secure database gives those authorized users access to over 500 proven <a href="https://www.iaea.org/sites/default/files/23/09/international-physical-protection-advisory-service-ippas-100-nuclear-security-good-practices-from-100-ippas-missions.pdf">security strategies and innovative solutions identified during IPPAS missions around the world</a>.
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<em>IPPAS team visit the Netherlands Cancer Institute in Amsterdam in 2023. (Photo: Dutch Authority for Nuclear Safety and Radiation Protection, ANVS)</em>
The IAEA encourages countries to leverage the benefits of IPPAS missions in strengthening their nuclear security frameworks and practices. As the global threat landscape continues to evolve, the IPPAS programme remains a vital tool in ensuring a secure future in the civil nuclear sector.
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<em>2024, the IPPAS team <a href="https://www.iaea.org/newscenter/pressreleases/iaea-completes-international-physical-protection-advisory-service-mission-in-japan">visit to the Mihama Nuclear Power Station</a> in Fukui prefecture in Japan. (Photo: Mihama Nuclear Power Station)</em>
