Bangladesh’s nuclear security reviewed as IAEA completes 12-day mission

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has completed a 12-day International Physical Protection Advisory Service (IPPAS) mission in Bangladesh.

The mission took place from 30 November to 11 December and was hosted by the Bangladesh Atomic Energy Regulatory Authority (BAERA), reads a press release issued by the IAEA.

The eight-member IAEA team reviewed Bangladesh's nuclear security arrangements for nuclear materials and facilities. The review also examined the transport of nuclear materials and the country's information and computer security systems.

As part of the mission, the experts visited the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant, which is under construction about 160 kilometres north-west of Dhaka. The two VVER 1200 reactor units at Rooppur are expected to add 2,400 megawatts to the national grid when they begin commercial operation in 2026 and 2027.

The team also inspected the Bangladesh Atomic Energy Commission (BAEC) TRIGA MARK II research reactor at the Atomic Energy Research Establishment (AERE). The facility supports research in physics, biology and engineering.

According to the press release, this was Bangladesh's second IPPAS mission. The first was conducted in 2009. Bangladesh is party to the Convention on Physical Protection of Nuclear Material and its amendment and has expressed political commitment to the Code of Conduct on the Safety and Security of Radioactive Sources.

The mission was led by Richard Peake, Superintending Inspector for Nuclear Security in the United Kingdom's Office for Nuclear Regulation. Experts from Australia, Czech Republic, France, the Netherlands, Russia and the United States took part, along with an IAEA staff member.

During their visit, the experts met officials from the Ministry of Science and Technology, BAERA, AERE, BAEC, the Nuclear Security and Physical Protection System Cell and the Nuclear Power Plant Company Bangladesh Limited.

Elena Buglova, Director of the IAEA Division of Nuclear Security, said the experts saw first-hand Bangladesh's commitment to improving nuclear security. She said the IPPAS findings would help the country strengthen its systems further.

BAERA Chairman Mahmudul Hasan and NuRID Project Director Dr Satyajit Ghose said the IPPAS recommendations were highly important. They said the findings would play a key role in enhancing Bangladesh's nuclear security regime and would be implemented in cooperation with relevant ministries and agencies.

The press release stated that this was the 110th IPPAS mission since the programme began in 1995. The IAEA said the findings will help Bangladesh further improve its nuclear security measures in cooperation with relevant ministries and agencies.