INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION

PNRA recognizes the importance of cooperation with international organizations for improvement of regulatory effectiveness and strengthening global nuclear safety and security regimes. PNRA has established collaboration with International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and nuclear regulatory bodies of other countries for sharing of regulatory knowledge, experiences and capacity building.

PNRA is member of various IAEA Safety Standard Committees like Nuclear Safety Standards Committee (NUSSC), Transport Safety Standards Committee (TRANSSC), Waste Safety Standards Committee (WASSC), Radiation Safety Standards Committee (RASSC), Nuclear Security Guidance Committee (NSGC), Global Nuclear Safety and Security Network (GNSSN), and Commission on Safety Standards (CSS) working for the development of safety standards. PNRA coordinates with other IAEA forums like INES, IRS, ITDB, RANET, RCF, RASIMS, IGALL and UNSCEAR.

PNRA provides experts support to IAEA in the conduct of IRRS missions; consultancies for the development of safety standards and training material; and implementation of of training courses and workshops in Member States. PNRA also participates in various IAEA Technical Cooperation Programs for enhancing competence development of its manpower in regulatory domain which has reinforced regulatory infrastructure in the country.

Obligations of International Conventions

Pakistan is signatory to Convention on Nuclear Safety; Convention on Early Notification of a Nuclear Accident; Convention on Assistance in the Case of a Nuclear Accident or Radiological Emergency; and Convention on Physical Protection of Nuclear Material. PNRA is the national focal point for these International Conventions. Pakistan has also voluntarily subscribed to the IAEA Codes of Conduct on Safety of Research Reactors and Safety and Security of Radioactive Sources and PNRA is implementing these codes.

Pakistan-IAEA Nuclear Security Cooperation Programme

Pakistan and IAEA have signed an agreement for Nuclear Security Cooperation with the objectives to establish and sustain an effective nuclear security regime in the country. Under this cooperation program, capacity building of PNRA manpower in nuclear security was enhanced; physical protection measures around 27 nuclear medical centres and Karachi Nuclear Power Plant Unit 1 have been upgraded.

Cooperation with Regulatory Bodies of other Countries

PNRA has established bilateral cooperation agreements with the National Nuclear Safety Administration (NNSA); Nuclear Safety and Radiation Protection Center (NSC); and China Nuclear Power Operations Technology Corporation Ltd. (CNPO) of the People's Republic of China for assistance in regulatory matters, exchange of regulatory experience and professional development.

Moreover, PNRA has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Nigerian Nuclear Regulatory Authority (NNRA) for capacity building of NNRA regulatory staff through fellowships and scientific visits under the auspices of the IAEA.