The event was opened by the Acting Chairman of BAPETEN, Sugeng Sumbarjo, in his opening remarks, saying, "This Rakornas has been held three times, held every year, since 2022. The purpose of holding this Rakornas is to update the status of the follow-up to the previous Rakornas and identify solutions to challenges in radioactive waste supervision and management in Indonesia."

Furthermore, it was explained, "From the previous Rakornas, a roadmap has been produced to resolve radioactive waste issues within a period of five years (until 2027). The implementation of the drafting of the presidential regulation on Jakstranas radioactive waste and spent nuclear fuel involves stakeholders, both ministries/institutions and related government agencies, as well as business actors in the health and industrial sectors, and currently the Draft Presidential Regulation on Jakstranas Radioactive Waste and Spent Nuclear Fuel has been proposed in the Drafting Program (Progsun) RPP and Raperpres at the National Legal Development Agency (BPHN)-Ministry of Law and Human Rights and is expected to be completed in 2025."

"The challenges faced in the supervision and management of radioactive waste must be resolved comprehensively and coordinated in the short and long term. For that, we hope for commitment, cooperation, communication, and joint support from all stakeholders in planning, implementing, evaluating, and sustainably improving an action," he said.

The event continued with a presentation on “Institutional Strengthening through Regulatory Strengthening” by the BAPETEN Industrial Assessment and Research Function Group Activity Manager Evin Yuliati, then a presentation on “Challenges of Radioactive Waste Management in Indonesia” by the Directorate of Nuclear Power Facilities Management - National Research and Innovation Agency (DPFK-BRIN) Safety Coordinator Titik Sundari, a presentation on “Strengthening Radioactive Waste Management Regulations” by the BAPETEN Director of Regulation of Radiation Facilities and Radioactive Materials (DP2FRZR) Mukhlisin, and a presentation on “Program and Budget Support in Radioactive Waste Management” by the Ministry of National Development Planning/National Development Planning Agency (PPN/Bappenas) Aruminingsih.

The National Coordination Meeting was attended by 150 participants both offline and online, participants were representatives from the Ministry of Environment and Forestry (KLHK), Ministry of Health (Kemenkes), Ministry of Transportation (Kemenhub), Ministry of Industry (Kemenperin), National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN), Ministry of PPN/Bappenas, Health Offices at the Regional Government Level I, the Department of Industry at the Regional Government Level I, Cipto Mangunkusumo General Hospital, Dharmais Cancer Hospital, Gatot Subroto Army Hospital, MRCCC Siloam Hospital, PT Relion, PT Pratita Prama Nugraha, PT Besindo, PT Gama Mitra Lestari, PT Radiant Utama Interinsco, Indonesian Medical Physics Association (AFISMI), Indonesian Nuclear Medicine Association (PKNI), and Indonesian Radiation Protection Experts Association (APRI).

In the discussion and question-and-answer session moderated by the Head of the Centre for Regulatory Assessment of Radiation Facilities and Radioactive Materials (P2STPFRZR), Taruniyati Handayani, much was discussed regarding the readiness of radioactive waste storage and management facilities and their supervision.

The formulation of the follow-up actions from the National Coordination Meeting was read by the Deputy Chairman for Nuclear Safety Assessment, Haendra Subekti, including the amendment to Act 10/1997, the Presidential Regulation Draft on Jakstranas LRA and BBNB, the revision of the Government Regulation (PP) in lieu of PP 61/2013, which will accommodate sustainable management of radioactive waste and BBNB, and the Presidential Regulation Draft on Jakstranas LRA and BBNB. The national strategy has been divided into five stages and establishes 10 work programs (considering the circular economy, financial guarantees, technological improvements, e.g., reuse & recycle, etc.). However, the division of the stages of the Jakstranas LRA & BBNB national strategy needs to be the same as the stages of the RPJMN.

The National Coordination Meeting was closed by the Deputy Chairman for Licensing and Inspection of BAPETEN, Zainal Arifin, in his closing remarks, conveying, "The necessary regulations are currently in process; hopefully they can be completed soon and make it easier to resolve waste issues."

"The existing temporary storage capacity is increasingly limited. Therefore, it is necessary to conduct a study to identify temporary waste storage locations from both technical and non-technical aspects. Likewise with final storage and Lestari, including as preparation for waste from the development of nuclear power plants and radiotherapy/KN facilities." He explained.

"To answer the challenges ahead, commitment and cooperation from all of us are needed. It is impossible for BAPETEN as the Supervisory Agency or BRIN as the Implementing Agency to work alone. Certainly the support of related stakeholders is very much needed to ensure the sustainability of supervision and management of this radioactive waste." He concluded. [BHKK/GP/SP/Translator: GP]

Download the documentation of the National Coordination Meeting; click here.