“Altra”: Lithuania Presents Progress in Meeting Nuclear Safety Commitments at the Convention on Nuclear Safety Review Meeting

At the 10th Review Meeting of the Contracting Parties to the Convention on Nuclear Safety, organized by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in Vienna, the Lithuanian delegation presented the country’s National Report and outlined Lithuania’s progress in ensuring nuclear and radiation safety.

This year’s review marks a significant milestone for Lithuania. Ignalina Nuclear Power Plant is no longer considered a nuclear installation under the Convention on Nuclear Safety, meaning that, for the first time, Lithuania is participating in the review process as a country without operating nuclear installations.

This milestone was achieved following the completion of all spent nuclear fuel removal activities from both units of Ignalina Nuclear Power Plant, including the clearance of the spent fuel pools. All spent nuclear fuel is now safely stored in dry storage facilities.

“Participation in the Convention on Nuclear Safety review meetings is an important step in maintaining and strengthening international cooperation while ensuring transparent communication about nuclear safety in Lithuania. The safe decommissioning of Ignalina Nuclear Power Plant and the management of radioactive waste are carried out in accordance with the highest safety standards. Equally important is ensuring opportunities for the public to access information and participate in decision-making processes,” said Gintautas Klevinskas, Head of the Radioactive Waste Repositories Division at “Altra” and a member of the Lithuanian delegation.

During the peer review of Lithuania’s National Report, the Contracting Parties identified one Good Practice and three Areas of Good Performance.

Good Practice

Lithuania has developed and implemented the innovative RADIS mobile application, providing the general public with convenient access to information on the country’s radiological situation.

Areas of Good Performance

• Lithuania continues to maintain and strengthen its nuclear safety framework, including legislation and regulation, regulatory oversight and inspections, as well as international cooperation.
• Lithuania has established a well-developed emergency preparedness and response system that integrates decision-support tools and radiological dispersion modelling capabilities, which are regularly tested through national and international exercises.
• Lithuania ensures a high level of transparency and public engagement by providing public access to draft legislation, safety summaries, licensing decisions, and regularly updated information on the state of nuclear safety.

Lithuania also actively participated in the peer review process by submitting 50 questions to other Contracting Parties and responding to more than 50 questions covering regulatory matters, emergency preparedness, nuclear and radiation safety, environmental impact assessment, environmental monitoring, and other related topics.

Lithuania further highlighted its continued focus on emergency preparedness, radiation safety, international cooperation, and active participation in international peer review activities. Safety issues related to the decommissioning of Ignalina Nuclear Power Plant and radioactive waste management will continue to be addressed under the Joint Convention on the Safety of Spent Fuel Management and on the Safety of Radioactive Waste Management.

Held every three years, the Review Meetings of the Convention on Nuclear Safety provide an important international forum and an effective mechanism through which Contracting Parties exchange experience, assess each other’s progress, and strengthen cooperation in pursuit of the highest nuclear safety standards.

Photo caption: Members of the Lithuanian delegation (from left to right): Sigitas Šlepavičius (State Nuclear Power Safety Inspectorate (VATESI), Head of Delegation), Lina Sabaitienė (Permanent Mission of the Republic of Lithuania to the International Organizations in Vienna, Deputy Head of Delegation), Rugilė Aganauskaitė (Radiation Protection Centre), Dainius Brandišauskas (State Nuclear Power Safety Inspectorate (VATESI)), Gintautas Klevinskas (“Altra”), Juozas Steponėnas (Ministry of Foreign Affairs), Kristina Tumosienė (State Nuclear Power Safety Inspectorate (VATESI)), and Asta Žalnieriūtė (Ministry of Energy).