ConvEx-3 (2025): IAEA and Romania Lead Largest Global Nuclear Emergency Drill

From 24 June 2025, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), in partnership with Romania, is conducting the largest-ever international nuclear emergency exercise named ConvEx-3. This 36-hour drill simulates a severe nuclear accident at the Cernavodă Nuclear Power Plant, Romania’s sole nuclear energy facility. The objective is simple but vital — to assess global emergency response capabilities in the event of a radiological disaster.

Purpose of ConvEx-3: Strengthening Global Nuclear Preparedness

The primary aim of ConvEx-3 is to test the readiness of countries to respond to nuclear or radiological emergencies, particularly those with cross-border implications. The simulation stresses:

• Real-time decision-making
• Emergency communication
• Coordination between national and international entities

By replicating a real-world scenario, ConvEx-3 evaluates how well governments, agencies, and emergency services collaborate under pressure.

Historical Significance: Two Decades Since Romania Last Hosted

Romania last hosted a ConvEx-3 exercise in 2005. Exactly 20 years later, the country reaffirms its commitment to nuclear safety and global cooperation. The Cernavodă Nuclear Power Plant, located near the Black Sea, plays a central role in this effort, symbolizing both energy potential and safety responsibility.

Participants: A Truly Global Effort

ConvEx-3 (2025) involves:

• 75+ countries

• 10 major international organisations, including:

1. World Health Organization (WHO)
2. INTERPOL
3. United Nations organisations

• IAEA’s Incident and Emergency Centre (IEC)

Each participating country activates its national emergency centres, testing interoperability with international systems like:

• Unified System for Information Exchange (USIE)

• International Radiation Monitoring Information System (IRMIS)

The Emergency Scenarios: Realism in Practice

The 36-hour simulation includes complex emergency tasks such as:

• Evacuations of affected populations
• Distribution of iodine tablets
• Public information campaigns
• Assessment and management of food and trade restrictions based on radiation levels

These tasks replicate the cascading challenges nations face during actual nuclear events.

Legal and Strategic Frameworks Behind ConvEx-3

The ConvEx-3 simulation is conducted under the guidelines of two critical conventions:

1. Early Notification Convention – ensures rapid sharing of information about nuclear accidents.

2. Assistance Convention – provides a framework for requesting and receiving international aid.

The ConvEx exercise family consists of three levels:

• ConvEx-1: Internal testing
• ConvEx-2: Bilateral/multilateral coordination
• ConvEx-3: Full-scale international drills (the most complex and comprehensive)

Role of the Inter-Agency Committee (IACRNE)

The Inter-Agency Committee on Radiological and Nuclear Emergencies (IACRNE) coordinates the participation of global bodies like:

• World Meteorological Organization
• Food and Agriculture Organization
• INTERPOL
• WHO

Their involvement ensures that the simulation mirrors real-world inter-agency dynamics, enhancing readiness across sectors — health, law enforcement, environment, and trade.

Significance: A Message of Global Solidarity

ConvEx-3 (2025) highlights the increasing urgency of nuclear safety, especially as more countries adopt nuclear energy. It reinforces the idea that nuclear incidents are not confined by borders, and international collaboration is essential for:

• Protecting human lives
• Preserving the environment
• Maintaining public trust

By stress-testing systems and communication channels, the IAEA and its partners demonstrate their commitment to a safer, better-prepared world.