NEA holds 24th session of International School of Nuclear Law

The ISNL class of 2025, along with lecturers Paul Bowden, Stephen Burns, Andrei Florea, Abel Gonzáles, John Nakoski, Kimberly Sexton Nick, Christian Raetzke and Lisa Thiele

The NEA recently concluded the 24^th session of the NEA’s International School of Nuclear Law (ISNL), held from 25 August to 5 September 2025 at the University of Montpellier, in the south of France. Reflecting the high regard for the programme and the growing interest in the field of nuclear law, the NEA received a record number of applicants, ultimately selecting 61 highly qualified and motivated participants representing 39 countries. The participants engaged in an intensive two-week programme designed to increase their knowledge and strengthen their understanding of the existing legal frameworks and major topics related to the peaceful uses of nuclear energy.

Lecturers Stephen Burns, Kimberly Sexton Nick, Christian Raetzke, and Lisa Thiele respond to participant questions during a discussion on nuclear safety, regulation, licencing and oversight

The ISNL, which was established in 2001 by the NEA in co-operation with the University of Montpellier, is a unique educational programme offering participants from the academic, private and governmental sectors an in-depth look at international nuclear law through a series of lectures, group assignments and panel discussions. Classes touch on all aspects of nuclear law, including nuclear safety, management of spent fuel and radioactive waste, environmental protection, transport, nuclear security, non-proliferation, safeguards, nuclear liability, and international trade. In addition to the educational programme, ISNL participants had the opportunity to network with their classmates through social events around the city of Montpellier, as well as a cultural excursion to Les Baux-de-Provence. To date, the ISNL has provided a unique educational opportunity to over 1 300 graduate students and professionals from 120 different countries.

Participants present their arguments in the Great Debates Workshop held on 28 August 2025

Since 2011, the programme has been led by Mr Paul Bowden, Honorary Professor of Law at the Nottingham Law School and former partner of Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer. The programme was delivered by a group of lecturers comprised of 25 renowned specialists in nuclear law from international organisations, government, academia and private industry. Included among this year’s lecturers were Obaid Almutawa, General Counsel, Nawah Energy Company; Khalil Bukhari, General Counsel, Newcleo Ltd.; Stephen G. Burns, former Chairman, United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission; Peri Lynne Johnson, Assistant Director General and Legal Adviser, Office of Legal Affairs, International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA); Maria Lorenzo Sobrado, Head, CBRN Terrorism Prevention Programme, United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime; Łukasz Młynarkiewicz, former President, National Atomic Energy Agency, Poland; Kimberly Sexton Nick, Head, Division of Nuclear Law, NEA; Verity Robson, Chief of Legal Services, Comprehensive Nuclear-Test Ban Treaty Organization (CTBTO); and Lisa Thiele, Vice-President, Legal and Commission Affairs & Senior General Counsel, Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC).

Director-General Magwood delivering his keynote address

To close out the programme, NEA Director-General Williams D. Magwood, IV gave a keynote address, emphasising the many challenges facing the development and deployment of new nuclear technologies, including the lack of regulatory harmonisation between countries, the need to dramatically increase human capacity, the complicated nature of acquiring funding for first-of-a-kind projects, and the need to develop the regulatory and industrial infrastructures necessary to foster the growth of the nuclear industry. While he noted the sector has entered an exciting era with intriguing new technologies in development and a surging interest in developing nuclear energy, Director-General Magwood cautioned that there will be significant hurdles to overcome.

“It is the best of times, and it is the worst of times,” he said, “I have never seen this much excitement, coming from all around the world and in such a broad and deep fashion, as I have today for nuclear energy. But it is also daunting. Overcoming the challenges the industry faces is going to take work. It is going to take leadership and it’s going to take imagination. If we can work together as a community, work across borders, we can solve anything.”

Though the in-person component of this year’s programme has concluded, many participants are continuing their studies by completing an examination and a written dissertation on a topic relevant to international nuclear law, with the intention of earning a University Diploma (Diplôme d'université – D.U.) in International Nuclear Law from the University of Montpellier.

Participants enjoying a cultural excursion to Les Baux-de-Provence

The NEA awarded grants to a select number of graduate students from its member countries to participate in the programme and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), under the IAEA Technical Cooperation Program, provided financial support to a limited number of professionals from its member states to attend the programme.

Applications for the 2026 ISNL session, taking place from 24 August to 4 September, will open in January 2026.