The IAEA hosted a virtual national workshop on implementing international legal obligations in the nuclear field for Jordan. The workshop, held on 8 and 9 February 2021, covered all areas of international and national nuclear law, including the legal frameworks for nuclear safety, security, safeguards and civil liability for nuclear damage.

“We aim to update the national legal framework to accommodate the obligations deriving from international legal instruments on safety, security, nuclear liability and emergency preparedness and response,” said Rabie Abu Saleem from the Energy and Minerals Regulatory Commission (EMRC). “However, our legislative and regulatory framework may also need strengthening in specific areas related to uranium mining activities and nuclear power plants. We look forward to shedding more light on these issues during this workshop.”

The workshop provided an opportunity to discuss aspects related to implementing the relevant international legal instruments and the legislative process of Jordan’s draft comprehensive national nuclear law. Civil liability for nuclear damage and the benefits of the modernized nuclear liability instruments, including the potential role of the 1997 Convention on Supplementary Compensation for Nuclear Damage (CSC), were also discussed.

Anthony Wetherall from the IAEA Office of Legal Affairs highlighted that “a comprehensive legal framework is a backbone for the safe, secure and peaceful uses of nuclear technology and its applications. Through the legislative assistance programme, we have provided substantive assistance to the country in strengthening its national legal framework over the years.” The IAEA reviewed Jordan’s draft nuclear safety and security law in 2018, and the national legislative process is ongoing.?

This virtual workshop was implemented within the framework of the IAEA legislative assistance programme under the Technical Cooperation project, “Establishing and Enhancing National Nuclear Legal Frameworks in Member States”.