15 SEPTEMBER 2025, VIENNA. The Philippines and Australia highlighted how cooperation, training, and sharing nuclear forensic expertise between the Philippine Nuclear Research Institute (PNRI), Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation (ANSTO), and International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) proved critical in the Philippine Government’s successful seizure last year of around 100kg of illicitly trafficked depleted uranium in the Philippines.

In a side event titled, “A Case Study of the Real-World Impact of Cooperation in Nuclear Forensics” at the 69th IAEA General Conference on 15 September 2025, speakers from both countries and IAEA stressed the important role of nuclear forensics in aiding in the prevention and management of illicit trafficking and nuclear terrorism.

In her opening remarks, Department of Science and Technology (DOST) Undersecretary Maridon O. Sahagun emphasized the importance of collaboration between the Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organization (ANSTO) and Philippine DOST-Nuclear Research Institute (PNRI) to establish in-house analytic and isotopic expertise critical in the seizing of illegal nuclear material in the Philippines.  “This case, now considered one of the most significant interdictions in Southeast Asia, showcased the operational maturity of our national nuclear forensic capability, resulting from national preparedness rooted in science, guided by policy, and enabled by international partnership,” said Undersecretary Sahagun. 

ANSTO Chief Executive Officer Shaun Jenkinson presented Australian’s approach to nuclear forensics and how the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) in nuclear forensics and border cooperation between PNRI and ANSTO helped in the successful confiscation of depleted uranium and arrest of individuals in three Philippine cities in 2024. DOST-PNRI Director Dr. Carlo Arcilla discussed the Philippine Government’s implementation of the MOU with ANSTO, the corresponding legal framework in the Philippines guiding nuclear forensics and its regulation, and the learnings after the successful entrapment operation concerning the illegal nuclear materials in the Philippines.  

IAEA Director of Nuclear Security Elena Buglova affirmed IAEA’s role in the capacity building of member states in nuclear forensics. “We emphasize the power of synergy of international cooperation in nuclear forensics, crime scene management, and information exchange with the objective of increasing efficiency and effectiveness in this field”, Director Buglova added.

The side event was moderated by Philippine Ambassador and Resident Representative Evangelina A. Bernas and Australian Ambassador and Resident Representative Ian Biggs and forms part of the Philippines’ key engagements to promote the Philippines’ emerging capabilities in nuclear security at the 69th IAEA GC. END.