Officials from across the Pacific Islands recently participated in the inaugural training course on Marine Radioactivity Measurement and Assessment for Pacific Island States, aimed at strengthening regional capacity to monitor and assess marine radioactivity.
The weeklong programme, organised by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Department of Nuclear Sciences and Applications, brought together representatives from Palau, Marshall Islands, Solomon Islands, Samoa, Vanuatu and Kiribati. Participants were also joined by representatives from the Pacific Islands Climate Action Network (PICAN) and the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat.
Iolanda Osvath, senior scientist at IAEA and course facilitator, said the capacity-building session was a direct outcome of discussions at the Pacific Islands Leaders Meeting with the Government of Japan (PALM 10) held in Tokyo in July 2024.
“The course provided an introduction to marine radioactivity sources, levels and trends in the Pacific Ocean and offered an overview of sampling and measurement techniques, quality criteria, monitoring strategies, and radiological environmental impact assessments related to the discharge of Advanced Liquid Processing System treated water by Japan,” Ms Osvath said.
In addition to lectures, participants visited laboratories at the IAEA Marine Laboratories in Monaco — the only marine-focused laboratory within the United Nations system — gaining hands-on exposure to state-of-the-art methods for assessing radiological impacts on the marine environment.
The programme also included practical exercises on sample collection, analysis, and data interpretation, allowing participants to apply theoretical knowledge in real-world scenarios.
Participants discussed region-specific challenges such as small-island vulnerability, limited monitoring infrastructure, and the importance of harmonised reporting standards across Pacific nations.
IAEA officials highlighted ongoing support for Pacific Island states, including access to technical guidance, equipment, and collaborative research opportunities. The course concluded with a collaborative session to develop a regional roadmap for ongoing marine radioactivity monitoring and assessment, fostering stronger scientific networks across the Pacific.
