The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has called on Member States to take part in its most challenging emergency exercise, ConvEx-3, scheduled for May 14-15, 2025. Hosted by Romania, the exercise will simulate a severe nuclear emergency at the Cernavoda Nuclear Power Plant, testing and enhancing global preparedness and response mechanisms.
“ConvEx-3 is not just an exercise it is a call to action,” said Lydie Evrard, IAEA Deputy Director General and Head of the Department of Nuclear Safety and Security. “By participating, Member States and international organizations reaffirm their commitment to global nuclear safety and security, ensuring readiness to respond to emergencies anywhere, regardless of the cause.”
What is ConvEx-3?
ConvEx-3, the IAEA’s highest-level emergency exercise, is designed to strengthen international cooperation under the Convention on Early Notification of a Nuclear Accident and the Convention on Assistance in the Case of a Nuclear Accident or Radiological Emergency. Conducted every three to five years, the exercise allows Member States to test and refine their national emergency arrangements in realistic, high-pressure scenarios.
Romania’s Cernavoda Nuclear Power Plant will serve as the focal point of this year’s simulation, marking the second time the country has hosted a ConvEx-3 exercise. The first was in 2005.
“Two decades later, Romania reaffirms its readiness to handle the most demanding scenarios,” said Cantemir Ciurea Ercau, President of Romania’s National Commission for Nuclear Activities Control. “This exercise showcases the remarkable progress made in nuclear safety, emergency preparedness, and global cooperation over the years.”
Unique Features of ConvEx-3 in 2025
This year’s exercise introduces innovative elements aimed at advancing international response strategies:
Focus on Regional Collaboration With an emphasis on managing transboundary impacts, the exercise will harmonize protective measures such as evacuation zones and iodine distribution across borders, ensuring cohesive and effective regional responses.
Incorporation of Nuclear Security Scenarios for the first time, the exercise will simulate threats to physical protection, regulatory control, and computer security, integrating countermeasures into emergency response strategies.
Real-Time Crisis Communication an expanded social media simulator will test participants’ abilities to manage public communication during a crisis, assessing strategies to maintain public trust and mitigate panic.
To maximize the exercise’s benefits, a follow-up technical meeting will provide a platform for sharing lessons learned, identifying best practices, and exploring actionable improvements to national and international emergency arrangements.
Official contact points registered on the IAEA’s Unified System for Information Exchange in Incidents and Emergencies (USIE) are encouraged to submit their country’s registration by January 31, 2025.
With participation from Member States and international organizations, the ConvEx-3 exercise is poised to serve as a milestone in global nuclear safety and security efforts.