Vienna Lessons
in Multilateral Diplomacy
in Multilateral Diplomacy
From November 2-8, an educational mission to relevant international organizations and research centers located in Vienna took place for Russian students and young professionals specializing in nuclear nonproliferation, disarmament, and peaceful uses of nuclear energy.
The visit was organized by the Primakov Center jointly with the Permanent Mission of the Russian Federation to the International Organizations in Vienna.
For details on the locations visited and the knowledge gained by the program participants, please refer to the following report.
For details on the locations visited and the knowledge gained by the program participants, please refer to the following report.
Day 1: IAEA Department of Nuclear Energy, UN Office
for Disarmament Affairs, and Open Nuclear Network
The first working day for young researchers from Russia began with visits to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and the United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs (UNODA).
At the IAEA Department of Nuclear Energy, Vladimir Artisyuk, Senior Expert in the Nuclear Power Technology Development Section, met with program participants and presented the main areas of the agency’s activities. The expert also focused on the development of the small modular reactor market and key trends currently observed in the field of nuclear energy.
At the United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs, Rebecca Jovin, Chief of the UNODA Vienna Office, addressed the Russian specialists. After outlining the key aspects of the organization’s work, she elaborated on the role of multilateral diplomacy in the nuclear nonproliferation regime and arms control. Additionally, the expert commented on the necessity of involving youth in WMD disarmament initiatives.
At the IAEA Department of Nuclear Energy, Vladimir Artisyuk, Senior Expert in the Nuclear Power Technology Development Section, met with program participants and presented the main areas of the agency’s activities. The expert also focused on the development of the small modular reactor market and key trends currently observed in the field of nuclear energy.
At the United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs, Rebecca Jovin, Chief of the UNODA Vienna Office, addressed the Russian specialists. After outlining the key aspects of the organization’s work, she elaborated on the role of multilateral diplomacy in the nuclear nonproliferation regime and arms control. Additionally, the expert commented on the necessity of involving youth in WMD disarmament initiatives.
In the afternoon, the delegation visited the Open Nuclear Network (ONN). There, Veronika Bedenko, Senior Analyst and Acting Head of the ONN’s Office for Monitoring, Assessment, and Distribution, and Nikita Degtyarev, Research and Engagement Assistant for ONN, introduced the students to modern approaches to reducing nuclear risks through the analysis of open-source data information.
“Open-source research is valuable because its results can be verified by other experts and scholars in the field of nuclear non-proliferation, as they are accessible to all interested parties,” Nikita Degtyarev highlights as the main feature.
At the end of the meeting, Andreas Persbo, Director of ONN, addressed the participants of the educational mission. Analyzing current events on the international stage, he emphasized the importance of multilateral dialogue in maintaining global security.
Day 2: Russian Permanent Mission and Embassy in Austria
On the next working day, the delegation of young specialists learned firsthand about the functioning of Russian diplomacy at the Vienna platform.
The visit to the Permanent Mission of the Russian Federation to the International Organizations in Vienna began with a meeting with Mikhail Ulyanov, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary, Permanent Representative of Russia to the International Organizations in Vienna. After welcoming the participants, he outlined the key areas of work of the Permanent Mission, as well as other international organizations located in the Austrian capital, and answered questions on issues related to WMD nonproliferation and contemporary geopolitical challenges in the context of international tensions.
The visit to the Permanent Mission of the Russian Federation to the International Organizations in Vienna began with a meeting with Mikhail Ulyanov, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary, Permanent Representative of Russia to the International Organizations in Vienna. After welcoming the participants, he outlined the key areas of work of the Permanent Mission, as well as other international organizations located in the Austrian capital, and answered questions on issues related to WMD nonproliferation and contemporary geopolitical challenges in the context of international tensions.
Thematic briefings
Dmitry Ulanov, Senior Counsellor of the Permanent Mission and Head of the IAEA Group, Evgeny Shamin, Counsellor of the Permanent Mission, and Ekaterina Blagodarina, Second Secretary, discussed nuclear and physical security issues, as well as matters related to the implementation of IAEA safeguards.
Vyacheslav Kosarev, Second Secretary, examined the specifics of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT) and the prospects for its entry into force.
Yulia Zhdanova, Acting Head of the Russian Delegation at the Vienna Negotiations on Military Security and Arms Control, elaborated on the main tasks and challenges facing Russian diplomats within the framework of the OSCE Forum for Security Co-operation (FSC).
Suren Aghajanyan, Second Secretary and Press Secretary of the Permanent Mission, introduced the participants to digital diplomacy tools.
The program of the second working day continued with a meeting with Dmitry Lyubinsky, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Russia to Austria. During the conversation, the delegation delved into the specifics of the Embassy’s operations and the future of Russian-Austrian relations.
The evening concluded with a guided tour of St. Nicholas Cathedral in Vienna.
The evening concluded with a guided tour of St. Nicholas Cathedral in Vienna.
Day 3: Seibersdorf, IAEA Department of Safeguards, and VCDNP
From Fundamental Research to Practical Diplomacy. This was the journey undertaken by participants of the educational mission during their third working day. Their focus was on cutting-edge verification methods and current issues in nuclear non-proliferation.
The delegation’s first destination was Seibersdorf — a scientific center located 35 kilometers southeast of Vienna, which houses the CTBTO TeST Centre and the IAEA’s analytical laboratories.
Oleg Rozhkov, Director of the CTBTO's On-Site Inspection Division, welcomed the young specialists and briefed them on the mechanism for conducting inspections as stipulated by the Treaty after its entry into force. He paid particular attention to the requirements for imported equipment, its certification, and verification of compliance with regulatory documents. Additionally, the delegation was introduced to equipment designed for investigating areas at risk of nuclear contamination.
Subsequently, the young researchers visited the IAEA laboratories, where they studied the operations of units responsible for environmental sample analysis and nuclear material research.
The delegation’s first destination was Seibersdorf — a scientific center located 35 kilometers southeast of Vienna, which houses the CTBTO TeST Centre and the IAEA’s analytical laboratories.
Oleg Rozhkov, Director of the CTBTO's On-Site Inspection Division, welcomed the young specialists and briefed them on the mechanism for conducting inspections as stipulated by the Treaty after its entry into force. He paid particular attention to the requirements for imported equipment, its certification, and verification of compliance with regulatory documents. Additionally, the delegation was introduced to equipment designed for investigating areas at risk of nuclear contamination.
Subsequently, the young researchers visited the IAEA laboratories, where they studied the operations of units responsible for environmental sample analysis and nuclear material research.
Overview Tour of the Laboratories
Annually, the IAEA Environmental Sample Laboratory analyzes over 100 samples, employing a multi-stage research format that includes highly sensitive methods capable of detecting traces of uranium enrichment processes. Participants familiarized themselves with similar activities during their visit to the Nuclear Materials Laboratory, which examines samples for traces of uranium and plutonium.
During a meeting at the IAEA Department of Safeguards, Alexey Anichenko, Director of the Division of Technical and Scientific Services, presented the technical aspects of the Agency's safeguards system and demonstrated the equipment used during inspections and monitoring of nuclear facilities.
The work of the young Russian specialists continued at the Vienna Center for Disarmament and Non-Proliferation (VCDNP). Representatives of the organization spoke about the Center’s activities, goals, and objectives, and highlighted the role that non-governmental organizations and research centers play in the nuclear nonproliferation regime today.
The work of the young Russian specialists continued at the Vienna Center for Disarmament and Non-Proliferation (VCDNP). Representatives of the organization spoke about the Center’s activities, goals, and objectives, and highlighted the role that non-governmental organizations and research centers play in the nuclear nonproliferation regime today.
Next, a roundtable was held with Laura Rockwood, Non-Resident Senior Fellow at the Vienna Center for Disarmament and Non-Proliferation, and Noah Mayhew, Senior Researcher at the VCDNP. The experts focused on the issues surrounding IAEA safeguards, highlighting the importance of the Additional Protocol to the IAEA Comprehensive Safeguards Agreement at various historical stages, as well as the implications of the AUKUS agreement for Australia’s acquisition of nuclear submarines on the nuclear nonproliferation regime.
The evening concluded with a discussion on Russia's role in resolving the Iranian nuclear program situation, featuring IAEA experts and Russian diplomats.
Day 4. Preparatory Commission for the CTBTO and Meeting with IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi
The final day of the Vienna Educational Mission was marked by high-level meetings that introduced participants to new aspects of the work of international organizations in nuclear nonproliferation and the peaceful use of nuclear technologies.
Dr. Robert Floyd, Executive Secretary of the CTBTO, addressed the delegation of young researchers with a welcoming speech, discussing the importance of the CTBT, its history and objectives.
Then, in a conversation with Alexander Sudakov, Senior Infrastructure Specialist of the International Data Centre (IDC), participants learned about the operational features of the IDC Operations Center. In turn, Sergelen Bazarragchaa, a specialist in seismoacoustic technologies of the International Monitoring System (IMS), demonstrated the setup of IMS stations.
The final event of the program was a meeting with IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi, who presented the main areas of the Agency’s activities and answered participants' questions, learned about the scientific interests of young Russian researchers, and answered their questions.
Dr. Robert Floyd, Executive Secretary of the CTBTO, addressed the delegation of young researchers with a welcoming speech, discussing the importance of the CTBT, its history and objectives.
Then, in a conversation with Alexander Sudakov, Senior Infrastructure Specialist of the International Data Centre (IDC), participants learned about the operational features of the IDC Operations Center. In turn, Sergelen Bazarragchaa, a specialist in seismoacoustic technologies of the International Monitoring System (IMS), demonstrated the setup of IMS stations.
The final event of the program was a meeting with IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi, who presented the main areas of the Agency’s activities and answered participants' questions, learned about the scientific interests of young Russian researchers, and answered their questions.
The Educational Mission concluded with an official reception organized for the Russian delegation at the Permanent Mission of Russia to the International Organizations in Vienna. Viktoria Karsliyeva, Executive Director of the Primakov Center, and Mikhail Ulyanov, Permanent Representative of Russia, presented certificates to the program participants and emphasized the importance of implementing initiatives in the field of professional training for young people on nuclear nonproliferation, arms control, and nuclear energy.