1. INTRODUCTION
The Code of Conduct on the Safety and Security of Radioactive Sources provides objectives and principles to ensure proper control over radioactive sources from the stage of initial production to their final disposal. The Code focuses on sealed radioactive sources in Categories 1, 2 and 3, as described in Annex I and Table I of the Code, although some recommendations such as the need for national registries and import/export controls are focused on sources in Category 1 and 2 only. Nuclear materials (except for sources containing 239Pu), as defined in the Convention on the Physical Protection of Nuclear Materials, are excluded, as are radioactive sources within military or defence programmes. A preambular paragraph in the Code notes that, although unsealed radioactive material is excluded from the Code, there may be circumstances where it should be managed in accordance with the objectives of the Code.
The Code of Conduct on the Safety and Security of Radioactive Sources was endorsed by the General Conference in resolution GC (47)/RES/7.B. Since that time, 101 States have made a political commitment to work toward implementing the Code. The supplementary Guidance on the Import and Export of Radioactive Sources (the ‘Guidance’) was endorsed by the General Conference in resolution GC(48)/RES/10.D, and 61 States have subsequently written to IAEA advising of their intention to act in accordance with the Guidance, as encouraged in that resolution.
In May 2010, an open-ended meeting of technical and legal experts was organized to exchange information, lessons learned and to evaluate the progress made by States towards implementing the Code. The Chairman’s report of that meeting (http://www-ns.iaea.org/downloads/rw/code-conduct/info-exchange/chair-report-tm-may2010.pdf) included a recommendation that a process for the review of the Guidance be put in place by the Secretariat.
2. WORKING LANGUAGE
The working language of the meeting will be English only. No interpretation will be provided.
3. PURPOSE OF THE MEETING
The purpose of this upcoming Open-ended meeting is to discuss with all States the results of the review process and the proposals for revising the Guidance, with a view to improve its harmonized implementation.
4. PARTICIPANTS
This meeting is intended for legal and technical experts from States involved in the regulatory control of radioactive sources and in the implementation of the Code of Conduct on the Safety and Security of Radioactive Sources.
Participation in the meeting is on a voluntary basis and the meeting is open to all Member and non-Member States of the IAEA, whether or not they have made a political commitment to the Code and/or to the Guidance. Relevant Intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations may attend as observers.
5. VISAS
Designated participants who require a visa to enter Austria or any other Schengen State should submit the necessary application to the nearest diplomatic or consular representative of that State as soon as possible. In the case of Austria, persons who require a visa have to apply for a Schengen visa at least 14 days before entry into Austria. In States where Austria has no diplomatic mission, visas can be obtained from the consular authority of a Schengen Partner State representing Austria in the country in question. The Schengen States are as of December 2008, Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Iceland, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal Slovak Republic, Slovenia, Spain, and Sweden.
The necessary arrangements for accompanying hardware/software should also be made as soon as possible.
6. EXPENDITURE
The organisational costs of the meeting are borne by the IAEA; no registration fee is charged to participants.
Owing to budgetary constraints, the IAEA is not in a position to bear the travel and other costs of nominated participants in this meeting. Limited funds may, however, be available to help cover the cost of some participants. Such assistance may be offered, upon specific request, to one or two participants per eligible country, provided that, in the IAEA’s view, this participant will make an important contribution to the meeting. The request for financial support should be made at the time of nominating the participant(s), on the official Nomination Form, also available on the IAEA website
(http://www-tc.iaea.org/tcweb/participation/inmeetings/default.asp and
http://www-pub.iaea.org/MTCD/Meetings/Announcements.asp?ConfID=40987) and endorsed by the National Liaison Officer (NLO) for Countries receiving assistance through the IAEA technical cooperation programme (TC).
7. APPLICATION PROCEDURES
Nominations should be submitted on the attached Participation Form. Completed Participation Form (together with the completed Nomination Form is applicable) should be returned through the official channels. They must be received by the IAEA not later than 28 February 2011. Deadline for nomination extended until 15 March 2011
Nominations received after that date or applications sent directly by individuals or by private institutions cannot be considered. Nominating Governments will be informed in due course of the names of the selected candidates and at that time full details will be given on the procedures to be followed with regard to administrative and financial matters.
8. LOCAL ARRANGEMENTS
The Meeting will be held in room M1, at the IAEA’s Headquarters in Vienna, Austria, and will start on Monday, 30 May 2011 at 9.30 a.m. and will end at 5 p.m. on Wednesday, 1 June 2011. You are kindly requested to be at Checkpoint 1/Gate 1 of the Vienna International Centre (VIC) at least half an hour before the meeting starts to allow adequate time for your photo badge to be issued. Please bring some form of a personal identification with you, such as a national passport, so you can identify yourself to the Security Officers at Checkpoint 1.
The Meeting agenda and local details, together with further information on local arrangements, will be sent to designated participants when the completed participation forms have been received.
9. HOW TO REACH VIENNA INTERNATIONAL CENTRE
By public transportation
The Vienna International Centre (VIC) can be reached with the U-Bahn by taking the line U1 (marked in red on city maps, herewith attached) towards Leopoldau and getting off at the station Kaisermühlen-Vienna International Centre. Single tickets, multiple tickets for 2, 4 or 8 rides or for 1, 3 or 8 days, and weekly tickets can be purchased from vending machines in all U-Bahn stations or at tobacco shops marked Tabak Trafik, and also at the VIC newspaper stand located in building C. The weekly ticket is valid Monday through Sunday with unlimited use of all Viennese public transport facilities (U-Bahn, bus, tramway, S-Bahn (Schnellbahn)).
Further information can be obtained at: www.wienerlinien.at
By taxi
As all participants will have to go through the registration formalities, passengers should ask the driver to drop them off at Wagramer Strasse 5, Gate 1. For departures, a taxi may be requested at Security Services, Gate 1. An additional fee is charged for taxis ordered by telephone. The customary tip in Austria for taxi drivers is 10% of the fare. Please note that there may be an extra charge for luggage, which is not shown on the meter.
From Vienna Airport
By bus: The Vienna Airport Lines operate seven days a week, at hourly intervals, from 6:10–20:10. The VIC bus station is located on Wagramer Strasse in front of Gate 1. The trip takes about 30 minutes.
By train: There are two options: First is the S-Bahn (Schnellbahn) from the airport to the City Air Terminal located next to the Hotel Hilton. The S-Bahn leaves approximately every 30 minutes. The trip takes about 25 minutes. After arriving at the City Air Terminal change to the underground line U4 and then U1 (see info listed under public transportation) to get to the VIC. The second option is the City Airport Train (CAT), linking the airport with the City Air Terminal. The trip takes about 16 minutes (passenger fare is €9 for a single ticket and €16 for a return ticket).
For further information, please visit: www.cityairporttrain.com and www.tripadvisor.com.
10. HOTEL ACCOMMODATION
A list of hotels close to the meeting venue offering negotiated room rates for participants attending IAEA meetings is herewith attached.
11. CHAIRS
The plenary meeting will be chaired by Mr S. McIntosh, Australian Nuclear Science & Technology Organisation (ANSTO), Australia.
12. IAEA SECRETARIAT
The IAEA Scientific Secretaries for the meeting are:
Mr Hilaire Mansoux
Division of Radiation, Transport and Waste Safety
Tel: +43-1-2600 24272
Email: H.Mansoux@iaea.org
Mr Wolfram Tonhauser
Office of Legal Affairs
Tel: +43-1-2600 21506
Email: W.Tonhauser@iaea.org
Administration and Organization:
Mr Tom Alexander
Division of Radiation, Transport and Waste Safety
Tel: +43-1-2600 21267
Fax:+43-1-26007
Email: T.Alexander@iaea.org
Address:
International Atomic Energy Agency
PO Box 100, Wagramer Strasse 5
1400 Vienna, Austria