IAEA 70th General Conference LT highlights
14–18 September 2026, 70th General Conference of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) was held in Vienna. It was attended by a Lithuanian delegation comprising representatives of the Ministries of Energy and Foreign Affairs, the State Nuclear Power Safety Inspectorate (VATESI), the Radiation Protection Centre and the State Enterprise Ignalina Nuclear Power Plant (Altra).
At the General Conference, Lithuania emphasized the need to strengthen nuclear and radiation safety, expressed its support for Ukraine, and drew attention to unresolved safety issues at the Belarusian nuclear power plant. Lithuania also presented its experience in decommissioning the Ignalina Nuclear Power Plant (INPP) at the conference.
This year’s IAEA International Review of Regulatory and Supervisory Systems (IRRS) mission to Lithuania demonstrated that the country has a well-developed and robust regulatory system that is continuously being improved. IAEA experts commended Lithuania’s progress and determination to continue improving the system.
During the Conference, the Lithuanian delegation met with Karine Herviou, Deputy Director General for Nuclear Safety and Security at the IAEA. The meeting focused on further cooperation between Lithuania and the IAEA in implementing decommissioning projects at the Ignalina Nuclear Power Plant, safely managing radioactive waste, and strengthening the country’s emergency preparedness. They also discussed the possibility of the IAEA providing expert assistance to Lithuania in assessing the potential deployment of small modular reactors (SMRs).
The meeting focused extensively on the situation at Ukraine’s nuclear facilities and safety issues at the Belarusian nuclear power plant. Lithuania expressed its support for the continued work of IAEA experts in Ukraine and its readiness to contribute Lithuanian experts to IAEA missions, if necessary.
Lithuania also drew attention to the ongoing safety issues at the Belarusian nuclear power plant, the lack of information regarding equipment malfunctions recorded at the plant, and Belarus’s plans to further expand its nuclear energy program at the same site. It was emphasized that Belarus must address the unresolved safety issues at the existing plant, and that when planning new nuclear energy projects, their safety must be properly assessed and a process of cross-border consultations must be ensured.
During the Conference, Head of VATESI Michail Demčenko participated in bilateral meetings with representatives of nuclear safety regulatory authorities from France and Brazil, during which they discussed current safety regulatory issues and opportunities for cooperation.
Lithuanian delegation members also met with representatives of the U.S. Department of Energy and U.S. companies developing small modular reactors (SMRs). The meetings focused primarily on further cooperation between Lithuania and the U.S. in the field of nuclear energy and on possible models for implementing SMR projects in Lithuania.
During the Conference, the international community was briefed on the progress made in the decommissioning of the Ignalina Nuclear Power Plant, the experience gained, and future work.
The IAEA brings together 182 member states and promotes the safe, reliable, and peaceful use of nuclear energy and nuclear technology worldwide.