25th regional introductory on-site inspection course (RIC-25)

As part of the training of national technical experts, the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organization (CTBTO) held the 25^th Regional Introductory On-Site Inspection Course (RIC-25) April 24 through 30, 2023 in the vicinity of Bratislava c. in Slovakia. On behalf of the National Nuclear Center of the Republic of Kazakhstan, a chief of the radiation research laboratory of the Radiological Research Department of the Institute of Radiation Safety and Ecology, Krivitskiy P.Ye. participated in the course. The this course focused on the introduction of national technical experts and personnel from signatory states to on-site inspection regime, which includes the preparation of the necessary preliminary and reporting documentation, a visit to the inspection site and a primary assessment of whether there is any sign that a nuclear test was conducted. During the one-week course, lectures were held to study the CTBTO’s focus areas and activities as well as exercises to try out various scenarios in which the inspection team was supposed to behave in the field. A trip plan was developed providing for a possible interaction of the team members with state authorities, the arrangement and conduct of an inspection visit including a visual survey, drawing up a plan of the terrain, preforming radiation and other measurements and environmental sampling. Following the course outcomes, a valuable experience was gained both in the interaction with CTBTO and in the usage of the latest technical solutions and advanced types of equipment.