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Pillar 3

Action 56

Encourage national, bilateral and international efforts to train the necessary skilled workforce needed to develop peaceful uses of nuclear energy.

China

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What has the NWS done so far (prior to the current Review Cycle 2022–2026)?

China has supported workforce development for the peaceful uses of nuclear energy through national training, bilateral cooperation, IAEA-related education programmes and scholarship schemes for developing countries. It cooperated with the IAEA in organizing Nuclear Energy Management Schools for nuclear newcomer countries, supported the China Atomic Energy Scholarship Program for master’s and doctoral training in nuclear engineering and nuclear technology, and hosted foreign students and experts for nuclear-science and nuclear-technology training. China also used bilateral cooperation to support regulatory, safety and technical capacity-building in partner countries.

What is the NWS doing on this action in the current Review Cycle 2022–2026?

China has continued to expand workforce-development support for peaceful nuclear uses. China co-organized China–IAEA Advanced Nuclear Energy Management School programmes for five consecutive years, training more than 250 nuclear-energy management personnel from 36 emerging nuclear-power countries; hosted more than 6,000 foreign scholars for research and training; and sent more than 4,000 Chinese experts and scholars abroad for international academic exchanges. China also reported opening and sharing 12 nuclear research facilities and experimental platforms with countries of the Global South and the wider world. China Atomic Energy Scholarship Program supported 400 students from 46 developing countries to pursue master’s and doctoral degrees in nuclear engineering and nuclear technology-related fields.

Sources

China and IAEA Hold Joint Nuclear Energy Management School, Dec 28 2023

Statement by the Chinese Delegation on Peaceful Uses of Nuclear Energy at the Third Session of the Preparatory Committee for the 2026 NPT Review Conference, May 6 2025

Implementation of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons in the People’s Republic of China, NPT/CONF.2026/33, 17 April 2026

IAEA eager to deepen cooperation with China on peaceful use of nuclear technology, Aug 30 2024

France

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What has the NWS done so far (prior to the current Review Cycle 2022–2026)?

France’s higher education system in the field of nuclear energy is open to nationals of third countries, and some 20 per cent of those graduating from French master’s programmes in nuclear energy are foreign nationals. The National Nuclear Science and Technology Institute (INSTN) has been an IAEA Collaborating Centre since 2016. It carries out various capacity-building activities for partner countries through nuclear power programmes, research programmes and programmes to develop nuclear applications for health. INSTN training courses conducted or planned in collaboration IAEA include a certificate course on the use of radiotracers in industrial applications, an interregional training course on fuel cycle and waste management strategies organized with Orano, a training centre on research reactors, a course developed jointly with EDF on nuclear programme management and training on molten-salt advanced modular reactors. Since 2020, France has also provided support to the IAEA Marie Sklodowska-Curie Fellowship Programme, which provides scholarships to women students in nuclear-related master’s programmes around the world. Since 2018, France has been hosting an IAEA training course on nuclear programme financing. In 2019, France hosted more than 40 IAEA scientific visits and study trips.

What is the NWS doing on this action in the current Review Cycle 2022–2026?

France organised training courses through IAEA, in particular a school on research reactors in November 2024. It organised seven workshops and training sessions between 2023 and 2025, including an International workshop on instrumentation and control and computer security for small modular reactors (Paris), the IAEA School on Nuclear and Radiological Leadership for Safety (Nice), the Workshop on the safety of experiments for research reactor (Aix-en-Provence), training on international reporting systems for national coordinators in Paris in 2023, a Joint IAEA-University of Paris-Saclay workshop on the safe analysis of heritage objects and materials using novel accelerator-based analytical techniques (Paris), a Regional workshop on conducting computer security exercises for nuclear security (Paris) and a Technical workshop on accelerator technology and associated instrumentation, including operation and maintenance aspects (Gif-sur-Yvette).

Sources

National Report submitted by France. Report submitted by France under actions 5, 20 and 21 of the Final Document of the 2010 Review Conference of the Parties to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (2022–2026). NPT/CONF.2026/PC.III/2. 7 March 2025, https://docs.un.org/en/NPT/CONF.2026/PC.III/2

Working paper submitted by France. France’s support for the International Atomic Energy Agency. NPT/CONF.2026/PC.III/WP.11. 5 March 2025. https://documents.un.org/doc/undoc/gen/n25/060/12/pdf/n2506012.pdf#:~:text=France%20is%20one%20of%20the,Technical%20Cooperation%20Fund%20in%202025.

Russia

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What has the NWS done so far (prior to the current Review Cycle 2022–2026)?

Russia reported that since 2010 it annually contributes 1 million US dollars to the IAEA Nuclear Security Fund. These funds support projects related to training on nuclear security and provision of assistance to interested states in that regard.

Russia implemented capacity-building and training programmes for Russian and international nuclear specialists, including on nuclear safety and security, and provided assistance to newcomer countries in establishing the infrastructure necessary for the safe and successful implementation of national nuclear energy programmes, including regulatory frameworks, spent fuel and radioactive waste management systems, and personnel training, especially in countries constructing nuclear power plants based on Russian reactor technology.

In 2017 Russia and the IAEA signed an agreement aimed at strengthening IAEA efforts to promote capacity building in newcomer and expanding countries in areas including nuclear safety, stakeholder involvement and the development of a national position on nuclear power.

Russia reported that 74 training events for over 1200 foreign experts were organized in 2017-2023 within the framework of this initiative.

What is the NWS doing on this action in the current Review Cycle 2022–2026?

Russia continued to issue annual financial contributions to the IAEA Nuclear Security Fund and contributed to the establishment of the IAEA Nuclear Security Training and Demonstration Centre which became operational in 2023

Russia continued to implement capacity building and training programmes for Russian and international nuclear specialists.

In its national report to the 2026 NPT Review Conference Russia reported that over 2,800 foreign specialists from 95 countries have been trained at Rosatom Technical Academy and more than 5,000 operational personnel have been trained for nuclear power plants that Russia is building abroad

Every year around 30 training events are held in Russia under IAEA auspices. More than 300 foreign specialists have taken part in them.

Sources

National report of the Russian Federation for the 2015 Review Conference of the Parties to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (New York), 21 May 2015.

https://www.un.org/en/conf/npt/2015/pdf/NPT-CONF2015-48_National%20report%20of%20the%20Russian%20Fed_E.pdf

Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. ‘IAEA, Rosatom Sign Agreement to Strengthen IAEA Nuclear Infrastructure Capacity Building’. 19 April 2017.

https://viennamission.mid.ru/en/news/19-04-2017_o-peregovora_78ce8d4cb235da22b1f250d9984c4aa7/

Statement by Russia. “International Conference on Nuclear Security: Sustaining and Strengthening Efforts” (Vienna), 11 February 2020.

https://www.iaea.org/sites/default/files/20/02/cn-278-russian-federation.pdf

Statement by Russia. Cluster III: Peaceful uses of nuclear energy. 2024 Session of the Preparatory Committee for the 11th NPT Review Conference (Geneva), 29 July 2024

https://mid.ru/ru/foreign_policy/news/1964213/?lang=en

Statement by Russia. “International Conference on Nuclear Security: Shaping the Future” (Vienna), 21 May 2024.

https://www.iaea.org/sites/default/files/24/05/cn-321_russianfederation_eng.pdf

National report of the Russian Federation, 2026 Review Conference of the Parties to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (New York), 2 March 2026.

https://docs.un.org/en/NPT/CONF.2026/14

United Kingdom

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What has the NWS done so far (prior to the current Review Cycle 2022–2026)?

The UK has a long-standing national framework for nuclear skills development. In 2016, the UK published its National Nuclear Skills Strategic Plan, a government-industry collaboration covering the full nuclear market.

What is the NWS doing on this action in the current Review Cycle 2022–2026?

The United Kingdom continues to invest in national nuclear skills through its Nuclear Skills Plan launched in 2024 as a collaborative programme between government and industry. The UK also supports IAEA initiatives like the Marie Curie Sklodowska Fellowship Programme, and the Nuclear Security Training and Demonstration Centre (NSTDC), which improve skills and development in the nuclear sector.

The UK also supports IAEA initiatives that develop international nuclear skills capacity, including the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Fellowship Programme and the Nuclear Security Training and Demonstration Centre. In May 2024, the UK ran a training seminar for UK industry involved in nuclear exports covering international obligations, nuclear safeguards and reporting, regulatory frameworks and licensing supporting workforce literacy on the UK's international commitments as well as technical skills.

Sources

Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (2016). Launch of National Nuclear Skills Strategic Plan unites sector on skills as it embarks upon renaissance, 1 December. https://www.gov.uk/government/news/launch-of-national-nuclear-skills-strategic-plan-unites-sector-on-skills-as-it-embarks-upon-renaissance

Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (2026). National report of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland pursuant to actions 5, 20 and 21 of the action plan of the 2010 Review Conference of the Parties to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons for the eleventh Review Conference of the Parties to the Treaty. <https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/69df600a53469bbcdf408e8b/UK-National-Report-11th-Treaty-on-the-Non-Proliferation-of-Nuclear-Weapons-NPT-Review-Conference.pdf>

Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (2026). National report of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland pursuant to actions 5, 20 and 21 of the action plan of the 2010 Review Conference of the Parties to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons for the eleventh Review Conference of the Parties to the Treaty, p. 25. <https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/69df600a53469bbcdf408e8b/UK-National-Report-11th-Treaty-on-the-Non-Proliferation-of-Nuclear-Weapons-NPT-Review-Conference.pdf>.

United States

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What has the NWS done so far (prior to the current Review Cycle 2022–2026)?

Between the 2010 and 2020 NPT Review Conferences, the United States contributed more than $100 million to the Peaceful Uses Initiative, which helped to fund projects that strengthen the control of radioactive sources and radioactive waste, upgrade radiation protection infrastructures, support human resource development in nuclear security, and strengthen national capabilities for responding to nuclear and radiological emergencies.

What is the NWS doing on this action in the current Review Cycle 2022–2026?

In 2020 the United States announced that it would contribute another $50 million in voluntary contributions to the IAEA through 2024, to support the IAEA’s Peaceful Uses Initiative (PUI), bringing the total US contribution to the PUI to more than $117 million. These contributions directly support human resource development in nuclear security and peaceful uses of nuclear energy. As of June 2026, the second Trump administration had not made an announcement indicating a significant financial contribution to the PUI.

Sources

U.S. Department of State. “The IAEA Peaceful Uses Initiative and the NPT.” https://www.state.gov/bureau-of-international-security-and-nonproliferation/releases/2025/01/the-iaea-peaceful-uses-initiative-and-the-npt.

U.S. Mission to International Organizations in Geneva. “United States announces $50 million commitment to IAEA’s Peaceful Uses Initiative.” November 10, 2020. https://vienna.usmission.gov/press-release-united-states-announces-50-million-commitment-to-iaeas-peaceful-uses-initiative/.