The Assistance Convention 1986

In one line

Its twin tells the neighbours; this one brings the help, and MU's 2026 question about how affected countries can cooperate is answered mainly out of these nineteen articles.

In exam wording: the Convention on Assistance in the Case of a Nuclear Accident or Radiological Emergency was adopted at Vienna on 26 September 1986 and entered into force on 26 February 1987; article 1 requires States Parties to cooperate to facilitate prompt assistance in the event of a nuclear accident or radiological emergency to minimise its consequences and to protect life, property and the environment from the effects of radioactive releases; article 2 governs the provision of assistance; article 3 the direction and control of assistance; and article 5 the functions of the International Atomic Energy Agency.

Article 1: general provisions

Paragraph 1. The States Parties shall cooperate between themselves and with the International Atomic Energy Agency in accordance with the provisions of this Convention to facilitate prompt assistance in the event of a nuclear accident or radiological emergency to minimise its consequences and to protect life, property and the environment from the effects of radioactive releases.

Paragraph 2. To facilitate such cooperation States Parties may agree on bilateral or multilateral arrangements or, where appropriate, a combination of these, for preventing or minimising injury and damage which may result in the event of a nuclear accident or radiological emergency.

Paragraph 3. The States Parties request the Agency, acting within the framework of its Statute, to use its best endeavours in accordance with the provisions of this Convention to promote, facilitate and support the cooperation between States Parties provided for in the Convention.

Note the scope: a nuclear accident or radiological emergency. It is not confined to reactors. A lost or stolen radioactive source, a transport accident, a contaminated scrap consignment, all are within it.

Article 2: provision of assistance

Paragraph 1. If a State Party needs assistance in the event of a nuclear accident or radiological emergency, whether or not such accident or emergency originates within its territory, jurisdiction or control, it may call for such assistance from any other State Party, directly or through the Agency, and from the Agency, or, where appropriate, from other international intergovernmental organisations.

That opening qualification is the heart of the Convention. The requesting State need not be the State where the accident happened. A State contaminated by a neighbour's accident may ask for help on the same terms as the State that caused it.

Paragraph 2. A State Party requesting assistance shall specify the scope and type of assistance required and, where practicable, provide the assisting party with such information as may be necessary for that party to determine the extent to which it is able to meet the request. In the event that it is not practicable for the requesting State Party to specify the scope and type of assistance required, the requesting State Party and the assisting party shall, in consultation, decide upon the scope and type of assistance required.