Background
The world is currently facing record levels of armed conflict, with over 50-60 active wars, the highest in 50 years. Including smaller confrontations, the total may exceed 120-130 globally. Conflict intensity is estimated to have increased by one-third in 2025-2026 compared to previous years.
The International Catalogue of Sealed Radioactive Sources and Devices includes data on over 5,000 types of radioactive sources, 4,000 devices, and more than 1,000 manufacturers or suppliers. Consequently, most countries experiencing conflict likely have many radioactive sources distributed across their territories.
Since the Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022, WINS has examined the security of radioactive sources during wartime and civil unrest. WINS has hosted online and in-person events with leading experts who shared best practices and experiences.
Recognising that risks to radioactive source security increase during armed conflict, we will review expert experiences and lessons learned on strengthening security during conflict in a two-day workshop on strengthening the security of radioactive sources during conflict.
WINS is also revising its 2023 Special Report on Securing Radioactive Sources During War Time and Violent Civil Unrest. The updated report will outline the transition in radioactive source security through the stages of routine operations, heightened tension, active conflict, post-conflict recovery, and return to routine operations.
Objectives
The workshop will focus on practical measures to strengthen the security of radioactive sources during conflict, including war, civil unrest, and local disputes. It will emphasise real-life experience, lessons learned, and best practices.
Participants will collaborate on the following topics:
- Case studies and lessons learned: Measures for safe and secure storage, evacuation, and concealment of radioactive sources during armed conflict
- Modern technology and technical solutions for the security of radioactive sources during armed conflict
- Threat and risk analysis: Comparing the security of radioactive sources in peacetime and during conflict
- Infrastructure and resource gaps: Challenges to effective response during armed conflict
- Importance of inventory: Preparedness and response actions during armed conflict
- Paradigm shift in response: Clarifying the roles, responsibilities, and leadership of competent and local authorities during active conflict
- Main challenges for end users: Addressing post-conflict and recovery periods after armed conflict
- Gap analysis: Preparedness measures to reduce radiological security risks during armed conflict
- Implementation of corrective actions: Lessons learned in contingency planning, coordination, and response preparation during armed conflict (based on experience)
- Review of key findings from the latest WINS Special Report on the security of radioactive sources during armed conflict
Audience
The main target audience of this workshop are:
- End users
- Regulators
- Law enforcement agencies
- Defence institutions
- Emergency and response organisations
- Government officials
- Academia
- Local authorities (municipalities)
- International organisations (IAEA, NATO other)
Process
Date: 1-2 June 2026
Time: 14:00-17:00 CEST
This online event will be interactive and built around a number of presentations and case studies that will enable participants to further explore the topic.
Experts from the nuclear industry and other critical infrastructure will be invited to share their experiences and lessons learned on the security of radioactive sources in armed conflicts.
An online voting system will allow participants to anonymously provide their views on questions put to the audience.
The workshop will be held in English.
