The National Center for Hydrometeorology, Radioactive Contamination Control, and Environmental Monitoring (Belhydromet) and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) have outlined ways to further strengthen cooperation on radiation safety. The discussions took place on 12-13 October during a visit to Minsk by an IAEA expert mission, BelTA learned from Belhydromet.
According to Belhydromet, the mission aimed to discuss the implementation of IAEA projects BYE9028 and BYE9030 and assess Belarus’ technical and analytical capabilities in environmental radiation monitoring. The mission featured Jonathan Burnett, head of the IAEA Terrestrial Environmental Radiochemistry Laboratory, and radioecologist Alexander Ulanowski from the same laboratory.
On the first day, Belhydromet hosted an introductory meeting attended by representatives of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Protection, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the Department for Nuclear and Radiation Safety (Gosatomnadzor). Belhydromet was represented by its head, Sergei Khilman, Deputy Head Mikhail Kovalenko, Head of the Radiation Monitoring Service Oleg Dubailo, and other staff members.
“For 40 years, Belarus has been implementing measures to minimize the consequences of the Chernobyl nuclear power plant disaster. Our country understands better than anyone the scale of the environmental, economic, and social consequences of radiation incidents. Under the Law on Radiation Safety, radiation monitoring, a system of long-term, regular observations, assessments and forecasts of the radiation situation, is a key element in ensuring radiation safety in our country,” the head of Belhydromet said in his welcoming address.
Under the national environmental monitoring system, Belhydromet conducts radiation monitoring at 120 observation points. Particular attention is paid to the quality and accuracy of data on radionuclide concentrations in ambient air, soil, surface water, and groundwater.
The head of Belhydromet thanked the IAEA mission for its support. He emphasized that participation in the IAEA technical cooperation project BYE9028, Improving National Radiation Monitoring Infrastructure and Emergency Response System, provides opportunities not only to upgrade equipment in laboratories conducting radiation monitoring and control in Belarus but also to improve Belhydromet specialists’ skills through IAEA technical seminars.
Belarusian representatives highlighted the IAEA’s key role in ensuring radiation safety and promoting the peaceful use of nuclear energy. Following the meeting, the IAEA experts visited the Minsk meteorological station and learned about the operation of its radiation monitoring site.
On the second day, the experts and Belhydromet staff discussed progress on project BYE9028, visited laboratories, and assessed their technical capabilities. Both parties emphasized the importance of further strengthening cooperation in radiation monitoring and improving preparedness for radiation emergencies.
