IAEA concludes evaluation of nuclear security system in Jordan

AMMAN — The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) concluded evaluating the nuclear security system in Jordan through a team of specialised experts.

The evaluation, which lasted for 10 days, came at the request of the Energy and Minerals Regulatory Commission (EMRC), the commission responsible for regulating and controlling the nuclear and radiological sector in the Kingdom, which is the first country in the region to carry out the evaluation. 

EMRC Chairman Hussein Laboun said that the aim of the team’s visit is to assist the EMRC in evaluating nuclear security procedures and taking the necessary measures to prevent, detect and respond to the illegal use of nuclear and radiological materials in line with the best international practices and standards of the IAEA.

Laboun added that the IAEA mission also reviewed Jordan’s legislative and regulatory procedures for nuclear security, the roles and responsibilities of the competent authority for nuclear security, the coordination between stakeholders, and arrangements for national nuclear security detection and response systems.

IAEA Team Leader Frederic Marriotte, Nuclear Counsellor at the Permanent Mission of France to the UN and International Organisations in Vienna, praised Jordan's efforts in bolstering nuclear security in the Kingdom.

He said that Jordan, represented by the EMRC and its personnel, has made progress in strengthening the basic system of nuclear security for the detection of materials, highlighting its transparent cooperation and coordination with partners.

The team of experts lauded Jordan’s achievement of 16 best practices, most notably the establishment of the National Centre for Nuclear and Radiological Security to achieve integration between various national concerned authorities.

In their final meeting, Laboun expressed thanks to the IAEA and the team of experts participating in this mission from France, Argentina, Malaysia, the US and Japan.

He stressed that the authority will continue its efforts to achieve further development in the regulatory and supervisory procedures to elevate nuclear security.