State Agency of Ukraine on Exclusion Zone Management and the Swedish Radiation Safety Committee signed an Agreement on Cooperation in the Field of Nuclear Safety and Radiation Protection. Within the framework of the Agreement Ukrainian system and infrastructure for radioactive waste management (RW), high-level spent sources of ionizing radiation (SSIR) will be further improved.

During the IAEA training course on the fundamentals for developing a Geological Radioactive Waste Disposal Facility in Ukraine, international and Ukrainian experts reviewed the world's experience in this area and the following steps within the framework of national project UKR9038. In addition to technical and security aspects, experts also focused on the issue of public involvement in such disposal projects.

The Head of the State Nuclear Regulatory Inspectorate of Ukraine, Grigoriy Plachkov, issued a separate permit to the SSE «Chornobyl Nuclear Power Plant» Series ОД No. 000033\11 providing the right to carry out operation of existing building constructions within the boundaries of ChNPP second stage, performing functions of New Safe Confinement (NSC) enclosing perimeter after they were reinforced and sealed.

On January 16, integrated tests of the radiation control system of the new safe confinement (NSC) started at the Chornobyl NPP. During the tests they simulate emergency situations and check the reaction of systems on them. Aim: to make sure that the radiation control system works according to the project criteria.

The IAEA Expert Mission within the framework of the national project UKR9038, together with SAUEZM and dedicated enterprises of Ukraine, has developed recommendations for the site selection for the geological repository of radioactive waste (RW). In particular, international experts, together with Ukrainian experts, have reviewed the preliminary assessment of the geological conditions of potential sites for the repository in the Exclusion zone and prepared a draft of recommendations for Ukraine.

With the assistance of the State Agency of Ukraine on Exclusion zone management in the framework of international technical assistance project equipment for detection of nuclear materials and radioactive substances was transferred to the Zhytomyr border detachment. The equipment provided by the Government of Norway included dosimeters, spectrometers, protective suits, gas masks and other necessary equipment.

During a working visit of the NATO Support and Procurement Agency (NSPA) delegations in Ukraine, the experts continued their work on the NATO Trust Fund on Elimination of the Tsybuleve burial in the Kirovograd region. The State Agency of Ukraine on Exclusion Zone Management together with NSPA held a conference for potential performers of the project.

On November 29th, 2018, the grand completion of the project of international technical assistance of the European Union «Support for management of radioactive waste in the industrial complex «Vector» in Ukraine» took place. The State Agency of Ukraine on Exclusion Zone Management was the beneficiary of this project aimed at strengthening safety in management of all types of radioactive waste (RW).

During the 7th All-Ukrainian Conference with International Participation «Problems of Hydrology, Hydrochemistry, Hydroecology», experts from SSE «Ecocentre» presented reports on the study of radioactive contamination of water facilities in the Exclusion zone. In addition, based on the analysis of data on hydrological regime and water pollution, the experts grounded the scientific community the basic principles for creating a new concept for managing the water facilities of the exclusion zone.

Representatives of the US Forest Service and the State Agency of Ukraine on Exclusion Zone Management (SAUEZM) presented a current state of transfer of international technical assistance to SE «Severnaya Pushcha» during a working meeting on increasing the capacity of the Exclusion Zone Fire Rescue Companies in response to a fire, and discussed the priority areas of work that are taking place, with fire prevention measures, and plans for future cooperation.

During the conference «Transforming the Shelter Object to an Environmentally Safe System: Experience, Problems and Solutions», organized by the State Agency of Ukraine on Exclusion Zone Management, the State Specialized Enterprise «Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant», the Institute for Safety Problems of Atomic Power Plants, the Ukrainian and international experts have been working on developing an optimal practical scenario for the Shelter transformation. About 100 specialists took part in the scientific and practical conference, which, based on existing research results, developed a consolidated position of international experts on how to implement scientific recommendations in a specific work scenario at the Shelter.

Experts from enterprises that belong to SAUEZM took part in the regional IAEA training course on the fundamental principles for creation of radioactive waste disposal facilities. During the course, international experts briefed the participants on the IAEA recommendations for developing a roadmap, planning and managing the exploration of sites for the creation of a geological storage for RW, involvement of stakeholders and security standards for similar facilities.