Member States have long recognized that coherent and comprehensive national legal frameworks are essential for ensuring the safe, secure and peaceful uses of nuclear energy. In the past few years, the growing number of international instruments and their complexity has increased the demand for assistance by Member States including the demand for training and capacity building in the area of nuclear law.

Against this backdrop, the 2014 Nuclear Law Institute (NLI) organized jointly by the IAEA Office of Legal Affairs and the Department of Technical Cooperation commenced on 6 October 2014 in Baden, Austria. During a two-week period, NLI participants were trained in drafting, amending and reviewing national nuclear legislation. The NLI aims to strengthen Member States' capacities in areas of nuclear law including nuclear safety, security, safeguards and civil liability for nuclear damage.

Following the positive feedback from the participants of the previous sessions, the IAEA's Office of Legal Affairs had made the Nuclear Law Institute an annual event that provides a welcome opportunity for legal experts and regulators to acquire in-depth knowledge in various aspects of nuclear law.