As it has been the case with its previous editions, ETSON and its member organizations will contribute extensively to the upcoming IAEA lnternational Conference on Enhancing Nuclear Safety and Security Through Technical and Scientific Support Organizations which will take in place at the Agency´s headquarters in Vienna, Austria, from December 2 to 6 and is being organized jointly by the IAEA and ETSON. Chaired by ETSON President Jean-Christophe Niel of IRSN, the conference will not only serve as a platform for participants to discuss latest upcoming challenges and opportunities in the context of a rapidly evolving nuclear landscape but also focus on ways to develop and strengthen technical and scientific expertise of technical support organizations (TSOs), in particular with a view on countries embarking on new nuclear power programs.

As part of its contributions to the conference, speakers of various ETSON member organizations will give talks on topics ranging from current and emerging technical and scientific challenges, capacity building and the role of TSOs in an international context. A special will be dedicated to the TOSCA methodology which aims at providing a tool for the self-assessment of capabilities of TSOs supporting national regulatory functions and has been developed jointly by the IAEA and ETSON.

Also, ETSON will provide for the TSO Café – a place open to all participants on all conference days which provides the opportunity to meet and discuss with representatives of ETSON member organizations and the venue of ETSON´s evening reception on the second day of the conference. Last but not least, the conference will also host the competition for the annual ETSON Award. Organized by ETSON´s Junior Staff Program, young experts of ETSON members will present their pre-selected papers in form of a science slam. The two winners chosen by the audience will receive the award worth €5,000.