National Atomic Energy Agency

The celebrations of the 40th anniversary of PAA’s establishment were attended by  representatives of the Council of Ministers, headed by the Minister of Climate and Environment, Anna Moskwa and Mateusz Berger, Secretary of State, Government Plenipotentiary for Strategic Energy Infrastructure, cooperating institutions and PAA’s partners, as well as current employees of the Agency. On this PAA’s 40th anniversary, Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki sent a letter which was read by Minister Mateusz Berger.

- Many answers to the questions asked about nuclear safety are provided by the staff of professionals from the PAA, which has been caring for nuclear safety and radiological protection of the Polish society for four decades - said Minister of Climate and Environment Anna Moskwa during the ceremony.

Minister Anna Moskwa also referred to the war in Ukraine and many activities and challenges posed by this situation to the PAA:  - Today nuclear safety is number one priority. When every day we receive information from war front in Ukraine, which Russia attacked on 24th of  February 2022. As we know, the aggressor's army is occupying the Zaporizhia Nuclear Power Plant, which is an unprecedented event - emphasized Minister Anna Moskwa. - PAA experts control the radiation situation of the country - they constantly check whether there is a risk of a threat in our country - added the minister.

The act of law on the establishment of the PAA was passed on 27th of February, 1982. It entered into force on March 9, 1982, but aggression of the Russian Federation troops in Ukraine disallowed to organize the jubilee on the turn of February and March – recalled Dr Łukasz Młynarkiewicz, President of the National Atomic Energy Agency. – We decided to postpone the ceremony – said the PAA’s President. - Since then, we have taken a number of important initiatives to strengthen the sense of security of Poles, for example by strengthening the country's radiation monitoring. But these are also activities in the international dimension, where the minister of climate and environment and the services of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, with our help, led to the adoption of two historic resolutions at the forum of the International Atomic Energy Agency. Resolutions against the Russian Federation and calling for an end to the occupation of the Zaporizhia Nuclear Power Plant, said Dr. Łukasz Młynarkiewicz.

The President of PAA also reminded about the increasing use of ionizing radiation, in Polish industry, medical, scientific and research institutions. Currently, more than 7,500 activities in the country use this radiation, and PAA employees constantly verify whether these activities comply with safety requirements. The Agency also supervises four Polish nuclear facilities, led by the Maria research reactor. - I can proudly say that the Agency has passed its test over the last 40 years and that there have been no major nuclear accidents in the country in the last 40 years. The measure of the success of the National Atomic Energy Agency is the safe operation of nuclear facilities and various applications of ionizing radiation, added the PAA’s President.

During the ceremony state awards were handed:

• Medals of the President of the Republic of Poland for Long Service,  
• Honorary Badges for Merits for Envirnomental Protection and Climate,
• Honorary Badges for Merits for the Energy Industry.

In recognition of the achievements in the field of nuclear safety and radiological protection, and the contribution to the development of the National Atomic Energy Agency's activities, the President of the PAA awarded a commemorative badge - the 40th anniversary of the Establishment of the National Atomic Energy Agency. The badge was collected by:

• persons, state institutions and non-governmental organizations that contribute or have contributed to increasing the level of nuclear safety and radiological protection,
• authorities exercising supervision and control in the field of compliance with nuclear safety and radiological protection conditions, as well as authorities and services participating in the system of coordination and cooperation for nuclear safety and radiological protection,
• former long-term employees of PAA.

Since its inception, the National Atomic Energy Agency has been active in the international forum for nuclear safety and radiological protection. Currently, the management and employees of PAA participate in total in over 50 groups and committees operating within various organizations, including the International Atomic Energy Agency.

PAA also cooperates with many foreign nuclear regulatory bodies. On the occasion of the anniversary, several close partners gave PAA occasional greetings:

• Christopher Hanson, Chairman of the United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission (US NRC),
• Rumina Velshi, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC),
• Bernard Doroszczuk, Chairman of the Nuclear Safety Authority (ASN),
• Dana Drábová, Head of the State Nuclear Safety Bureau (Czech regulatory authority – SUJB),
• Marta Žiaková, Chairperson of the Nuclear Regulatory Authority of the Slovac Republic (UJD),
• Petteri Tiippana, Director General of the Radiation and Nuclear Safety Authority  (STUK).

Watch the anniversary greetings from our regulatory partners. Thank you very much!