The 16th Annual Meeting of the Asia-Pacific Safeguards Network (APSN)

The 16th Asia-Pacific Safeguards Network (APSN) Annual Meeting was held on 3–5 November 2025 in Perth, Australia. The meeting was hosted by the Australian Safeguards and Non-Proliferation Office (ASNO) and attended by 44 participants from 15 countries, together with representatives from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).

The APSN Annual Meeting serves as a regional forum for member states to exchange information, experiences, and best practices in the implementation of nuclear safeguards. The meeting was opened by the Chair of APSN, Dr Geoffrey Shaw, who emphasised the importance of APSN in addressing the evolving nuclear landscape and emerging technologies in the Asia-Pacific region. Opening remarks were also delivered by IAEA Deputy Director General for Safeguards, Mr Massimo Aparo, who highlighted APSN’s contribution to strengthening regional and global safeguards implementation.

The Head of the APSN Steering Committee, Dr Na Young Lee (KINAC, Republic of Korea), presented the Steering Committee report, noting priorities such as improving timeliness of reporting to the IAEA, promoting wider uptake of the Additional Protocol, sharing information on safeguards by design, and addressing challenges arising from new technologies.

The meeting included keynote presentations by the IAEA on global and regional safeguards challenges, followed by roundtable discussions on safeguards implementation in the AsiaPacific region. APSN Working Group sessions covered key topics including good practices for domestic safeguards inspections, safeguards capacity building and training coordination, APSN website and communications, nuclear accounting and safeguards by design, and the management of small quantities of nuclear material. Members agreed to endorse the APSN Good Practices Guide on Domestic Safeguards Inspections, subject to final IAEA review, with a view to submitting it for distribution as an IAEA Information Circular.

A highlight of the meeting was the inaugural Women in Safeguards panel, which underscored the importance of diversity and gender equity in building a sustainable safeguards workforce, and discussed how APSN can continue to support women in the f ield.

The meeting also featured national statements from APSN member states and updates from observer states and partner organisations. APSN members agreed to invite Timor-Leste to join the Network, reflecting continued interest in expanding regional participation.

The meeting concluded with a technical visit to the University of Western Australia, showcasing analytical laboratory capabilities supporting safeguards implementation. In his closing remarks, the APSN Chair reaffirmed the Network’s important role in strengthening cooperation and capacity in nuclear safeguards across the Asia-Pacific region