Monday, 19 June 2023 - The Safety, Health and Environment National Authority (SHENA) hosted a workshop to highlight the importance of having a robust national nuclear security regime. Present at the event was Mr. Andrew Prosser, Nuclear Security Officer from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), nuclear security experts from Indonesia, Japan, Thailand, and the United States as well as representatives from various national government agencies. The workshop was conducted at the Centrepoint Hotel, Bandar Seri Begawan.

The workshop was a follow-up to the Preparatory Meeting on Integrated Nuclear Security Support Plan (INSSP) for Brunei Darussalam held last year in Brunei Darussalam on 14 – 15 September 2022 during which the IAEA introduced the Integrated Nuclear Security Support Plan (INSSP), an IAEA initiative in bolstering national nuclear security measures.

The INSSP is a product of collaborative work between the IAEA and Brunei Darussalam and it represents a significant milestone in the IAEA's efforts to enhance nuclear security on a global scale. Recognising the evolving nature of nuclear security challenges, the plan comprises of six functional areas: legislative and regulatory framework, threat and risk assessment, physical protection regime, detection and response to unauthorised acts involving material out of regulatory control and sustaining a nuclear security regime.

The workshop was officiated by Yang Mulia Datin Zubaidah Haji Mahmud, Interim Chief Executive Officer at SHENA, and in her capacity as the INSSP point of contact for Brunei Darussalam. In her opening remarks, she said “the guidance provided by the IAEA towards Brunei Darussalam is critical towards the development of a robust INSSP that is tailored to Brunei Darussalam’s specific needs and aligned with international standards.”

Implementation of the INSSP will facilitate the establishment of a national nuclear security regime to address emerging challenges in nuclear security, including cyber threats, the illicit trafficking of nuclear materials, and the potential misuse of nuclear technology by terrorist organisations. By adopting a holistic and integrated approach, the plan aims to strengthen and sustain the nuclear security regime of the country to ensure the safe and secure use of radioactive and nuclear materials in Brunei Darussalam, and to contribute to the collective efforts towards promotion of global nuclear security architecture.

Following the workshop, a 4-day meeting will be conducted to facilitate discussion between the IAEA and Brunei Darussalam to review the INSSP formulated by the stakeholders represented at the meeting.