On May 21 – June 1 2018 the Sixth Review Meeting of Contracting Parties of the Joint Convention on the safety of spent nuclear fuel and on the safety of radioactive waste management (hereinafter – Joint convention) took place in Vienna, in the premises of IAEA with participation of 850 representatives from 69 countries.
On May 21 2018, Lithuanian delegation presented fifth national report, which contains information on the progress on managing spent nuclear fuel and radioactive waste during last three years.
Fifth national report contains information on spent nuclear fuel and radioactive waste management legislation, licensing process of waste management facilities, licensing process of spent radioactive sealed sources management and spent radioactive sealed sources management practises, safety improvement measures of spent nuclear fuel and radioactive waste management.
Contracting Parties submitted questions for Lithuanian national report on implementation of radioactive waste management program, financing of spent nuclear fuel and radioactive waste management, preparation to implement the project on deep geological repository, Maišiagala storage facility decommissioning plan, decommissioning of Ignalina NPP, management of graphite, bituminised waste storage facility, management of Ignalina NPP human recourses. Contracting Parties also were interested on how public is informed about radioactive waste management and implementation of the project of deep geological repository and if public is involved into the licencing process of radioactive waste management facilities.
Before the meeting, Lithuania identified three challenges which Lithuania faces during management of spent nuclear fuel and radioactive waste. Other Contracting Parties agreed to proposed challenges:
- Ensure timely implementation of goals and measures set in the Radioactive Waste Management Development Programme, in particular, measures dedicated to the development of the deep geological repository.
- Clarity regarding the roles and responsibilities of Ignalina NPP and RATA, in relation to questions such as transfer of waste liability and the long-term management of institutional waste.
- Challenges relating to funding and implementation of the Ignalina decommissioning plan, including public communication relating to the nature of the hazards being addressed.
During the Meeting, it was indicated that Lithuania properly implement obligations of Joint Convention on the Safety of Spent Fuel Management and on the Safety of Radioactive Waste Management.
Lithuania has provided questions to national reports of other countries and Lithuanian delegation had opportunity to ask additional question after presentations of national reports during the Review Meeting. After presentation of Belarus, representatives of Lithuania delegation paid attention of delegation of Belarus to necessity immediately to solve the issues regarding still pending agreement with Russian Federation on return of spent nuclear fuel of Belarussian Nuclear Power Plant, on implementation of radioactive waste management facilities until commissioning of nuclear power plant and development of disposal facilities within 10 years.
By summarizing results of Joint Convention it was indicated that number of countries that Joint Convention increase and in such a way those countries take responsibility on liable management of spent nuclear fuel and radioactive waste. Most of the countries during the last three years period made progress in development of legal framework, strengthening of independence of regulatory authorities and management of spent nuclear fuel and radioactive waste.
During Review Meeting, it was decided that member states should strength following areas: development and implementation of national policy and strategy for management of spent nuclear fuel and radioactive waste, management of historic waste, development of technologies for disposal of used sealed radioactive sources and spent nuclear fuel. Information on those areas shall be included to national report of seventh review meeting.
Delegation of Republic of Lithuania consisted of representatives of State Nuclear Power Safety Inspectorate, Ministry of Energy, Ministry of Environment, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Radiation Protection Centre and SE Ignalina Nuclear Power Plant.
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