On 27 April 2021 ISTC Executive Director addressed   the Annual Meeting of the NSSC Network, presenting   ISTC’s mission and achievements, outlining the   support it can provide to the establishment of an NSSC  or to the collaboration among NSSCs within and  among particular regions. Examples in that regard   include the ISTC projects with the Kazakhstan Nuclear   Security Training Center of the Institute at Nuclear   Physics, near Almaty; the cooperation ISTC has with all the stakeholders of the Kenyan NSSC, while Kenya is in  the process of joining ISTC and with the Radiation Detection Training Center that ISTC helped to construct in Amman.

The NSSC Network observers group comprise of several UN organizations, OSCE, the European, the Global Partnership some smaller ones like the Vienna Center for Disarmament and Non-Proliferation or the World Institute for Nuclear Security. Two more joined this cluster together with ISTC, namely the United Nations Interregional Crime and Justice Research Institute and the Brandenburg University of Applied Sciences, Institute for Security and Safety.

Three new member states joint the NSSC Network: Austria, Comoros and Uganda. In each of its States Parties the role of an NSSC is to support competent authorities, and other organizations with nuclear security responsibilities in sustaining the national nuclear security regime at both the national and operational levels. This is achieved through programmes in human resource development (HRD), technical support and scientific support. In realizing these objectives, an NSSC also fosters nuclear security culture and enhances national coordination and collaboration among the various competent authorities involved in nuclear security.

Ms Elena Buglova, Director, IAEA Division of Nuclear Security, opened the Annual meeting pointing out that its purpose is to advance the work of the International Network in all directions. She also referred to the Multi-Purpose Building project at the IAEA’s Seibersdorf Laboratories that will offer possibilities for nuclear security training and demonstration. In addition to plenary sessions on key topics and themes relevant to NSSCs, the three Working Groups of the Network will convene later in the week to work individually and collaboratively to plan activities and discuss priorities of the Network for the upcoming year.