From September 26 to 30, 2022, the IAEA General Conference was held in Vienna, focusing on the security of the nuclear facility in Ukraine, which is under threat from the Russian military invasion.
The Estonian delegation also included Reelika Runnel, Marily Jaska from the Ministry of the Environment, Karin Muru from the Environmental Board, Ambassador Merle Pajula and Edit Kubinyi from the Estonian Embassy in Vienna.
The minister stressed to the 3,000 participants in the conference the Estonian public’s concern about Ukraine’s nuclear facilities. He acknowledged the role of the IAEA in facilitating the peaceful use of nuclear materials and technology. He also highlighted the benefits that Estonian medicine, industry, and education have gained from nuclear technology thanks to the support provided by the IAEA.
On September 26, the minister signed a new technical cooperation framework agreement between Estonia and the IAEA, which will run until 2027. The cooperation focuses on ensuring the long-term management of radioactive waste in Estonia by building a nuclear waste repository by 2040, as well as on nuclear medicine and cancer treatment. In addition, Estonia needs the agency’s help to train Estonian specialists in the safe use of nuclear energy.
Minister Kallas also visited the Estonian Embassy in Vienna.
