The International Nuclear Emergency Exercise (INEX) series has supported NEA member countries since 1993 in enhancing international aspects of preparedness and response to nuclear or radiological emergencies. Through these exercises, participants share information, data, knowledge, and experience to test emergency management systems, identify gaps, and develop strategies to improve nuclear emergency management worldwide.
INEX-6 represents a strategic evolution of the INEX series, focusing entirely on the long-term recovery phase of a radiological emergency. Its central aim was to assess the adequacy of national and international recovery frameworks. The fictional scenario, a transport accident resulting in widespread contamination, was intentionally designed to allow participation from both nuclear and non-nuclear countries.
The Expert Group on the Sixth International Nuclear Emergency Exercise (EGINEX6) was formally created in April 2022 to lead the design, delivery, and evaluation of INEX-6. Its mandate was extended in 2024 to guide post-exercise analysis, organize an international workshop, and produce the final consolidated report through 2026.
The exercise was structured around four thematic modules reflecting the core challenges of recovery:
Countries were invited to conduct national table-top exercises on one or more modules between January and April 2024. These exercises were supported by NEA-developed scenario injects, guiding questions, and a standardized post-exercise evaluation questionnaire.
To support shared learning, a Topical Session on INEX-6 was held during the 49th meeting of the Working Party on Nuclear Emergency Matters (WPNEM-49) in October 2024. This session enabled participating countries to exchange preliminary insights and explore key lessons beyond the scope of the questionnaires. The consolidated outcomes were later presented to NEA member countries at the 83rd meeting of the Committee on Radiological Protection and Public Health (CRPPH-83) in March 2025. A comprehensive workshop will be held in November 2025 to present key outcomes and lessons learned from the INEX-6 evaluation and to define concrete next steps to strengthen both national and international recovery preparedness.
INEX-6 reaffirms the critical importance of proactive recovery preparedness, supported by strong governance, stakeholder engagement, and international collaboration. It also marks a milestone in transitioning from theory to practice in long-term recovery planning within the international nuclear emergency management community.
