Norway to provide NOK 250 million for nuclear safety and security in Ukraine

Norway will provide NOK 100 million in support to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). This will help to ensure that IAEA experts can maintain a presence in Ukraine. Today, IAEA experts are present at the Chornobyl site, the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, which is currently occupied by Russia, and at Ukraine’s three other operational nuclear power plants.

‘IAEA experts provide the international community with independent, credible assessments of the state of nuclear facilities in Ukraine. It is vital for us to have access to this kind of independent information. The IAEA is also providing technical support and assistance to prevent a nuclear accident from occurring,’ said Minister of Foreign Affairs Anniken Huitfeldt.

In addition, Norway is increasing its funding for nuclear safety and security cooperation with Ukraine by NOK 150 million. This funding will be administered by the Norwegian Radiation and Nuclear Safety Authority (DSA), and will be used to reduce the risk of accidents and incidents involving the release of radioactive substances, and to reduce the risk of radioactive material falling into the wrong hands.

‘Norway is doing its part to enhance nuclear safety and security. We will support efforts aimed at enabling the Ukrainian authorities to resume the safe and secure operation of facilities and sites that are directly affected by the hostilities. Repairing infrastructure and restoring regulatory control at the Chornobyl facility will be key priorities,’ Ms Huitfeldt said.

Norway was one of the first countries to deliver equipment to Ukraine to enhance nuclear safety and security following the full-scale invasion in February 2022. As early on as March 2022, Norway provided equipment to the Ukrainian border control authorities and to the Rivne nuclear power plant.

'We have been developing close cooperation on nuclear safety and security with various Ukrainian authorities and stakeholders for many years. Our bilateral cooperation on concrete projects has helped to enhance nuclear safety and security in the country,’ said Director General of DSA Per Strand.

‘Norway’s experience and established networks are also proving useful to other international actors seeking to assist Ukraine in the current situation. Under the Nansen Support Programme for Ukraine, we are building further on our existing cooperation and increasing our support, to the benefit of Ukraine and the rest of Europe,’ Ms Huitfeldt said.

The overall objectives of Norway’s efforts relating to nuclear safety and security in Ukraine are to:

• reduce the risk of accidents and incidents that could lead to the release of radioactive substances;
• prevent nuclear and other radioactive material from falling into the wrong hands;
• support efforts to restore regulatory control of facilities and sites directly affected by the hostilities;
• support the rehabilitation of facilities and sites, where possible, and continue to do so after the war is over;
• provide information to the public, the authorities and the media on nuclear safety and security and potential contamination risks in Ukraine.

As of 2023, our efforts in Ukraine will also seek to:

• strengthen Norway’s role in promoting global support for Ukraine’s peace plan;
• realise the aims of the Nansen Support Programme for Ukraine.