IAEA to help Belarusian institute Sosny expand international cooperation in nuclear research

The joint energy and nuclear research institute Sosny of the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus under the aegis of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) will expand international cooperation in the area of nuclear research. The relevant practical agreements on cooperation between the IAEA and the Sosny Institute in the sphere of nuclear science and technology were signed in the IAEA HQ during the 63rd session of the IAEA General Conference in Vienna on 19 September, BelTA has learned.

IAEA Deputy Director General Mikhail Chudakov and Director General of the Sosny Institute Andrei Kuzmin signed the document.

The document is supposed to help the IAEA and the Sosny Institute establish the framework of cooperation in the area of scientific research and development relating to experimental and theoretical studies of neutron-physical characteristics of critical and subcritical neutron multiplication systems with promising low-enriched uranium-containing nuclear fuel. The sides will also cooperate in researching ways to improve nuclear and radiation safety of research nuclear installations, in organizing scientific seminars and educational courses on the development, creation, and use of new-generation research and power nuclear reactors and promising uranium-containing fuel for them.

The agreement will allow more effectively coordinating the implementation of international research projects involving the use of the Sosny Institute’s nuclear installations, including for the sake of scientific studies required to develop promising new-generation nuclear reactors.

IAEA Deputy Director General Mikhail Chudakov said he was ready to visit the institute. He also expressed interest in the development of compact nuclear reactors, including for movable nuclear power plants.