ENRRA Hosts IAEA Regional Meeting on Public Communication During Nuclear or Radiological Emergencies in Aswan

26 October, 2026

ENRRA Hosts IAEA Regional Meeting on Public Communication During Nuclear or Radiological Emergencies in Aswan

📍 Aswan, Egypt | 19–23 October 2026

The Egyptian Nuclear and Radiological Regulatory Authority (ENRRA) hosted the IAEA Regional Meeting on Public Communication during Nuclear or Radiological Emergencies, in cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and the Arab Atomic Energy Agency (AAEA).

The meeting brought together representatives from Egypt, Iraq, Bahrain, Mauritania, Tunisia, Sudan, Syria, Qatar, Lebanon and Jordan, fostering regional cooperation and knowledge exchange.

The technical sessions featured contributions from distinguished experts:

🔹 Ms. Nayana Jayarajan, Outreach Officer (Emergency Communication), IAEA.

🔹 Mr. Salah Al-Hashimi, IAEA Expert and Government Communication Director at the UAE’s Federal Authority for Nuclear Regulation (FANR).

🔹 Mr. Mark Basnight, IAEA Expert and former official with the U.S. National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA).

On behalf of ENRRA, Mr. Ramy Afifi, Senior Communications and International Cooperation Specialist, delivered the meeting’s opening remarks and coordinated its organization in collaboration with the IAEA, with the support of Ms. Sarah Hegazy, Coordinator at the Technical Unit of ENRRA’s Chairman.

Mr. Afifi and Ms. Hegazy jointly delivered ENRRA’s presentation, highlighting the Authority’s efforts and developments in public communication during normal conditions and nuclear or radiological emergencies.

Throughout the five-day meeting, participants explored communication strategies, public engagement, managing uncertainty, and addressing misinformation and disinformation. The programme also featured interactive sessions, spokesperson training and practical emergency simulation exercises.

A key takeaway was that effective emergency communication goes beyond delivering timely information; it requires transparency, credibility, empathy and public trust.

Hosting this meeting reflects ENRRA’s commitment to strengthening emergency preparedness, regulatory communication and regional cooperation.

ENRRA extends its sincere appreciation to the IAEA, AAEA, participating experts and regional counterparts for their valuable contributions.

Because public trust is not built during an emergency — it is built long before one occurs.