The international community and Ukraine are set to enter a new phase of engagement on long-term nuclear safety and decommissioning, with a particular focus on the Chernobyl nuclear power station, thanks to a law that allows for a wider range of nuclear safety activities.

The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) said the new phase of engagement follows the Ukrainian parliament’s ratification of the International Chernobyl Cooperation Account (ICCA) framework agreement.

Ukraine’s parliament approved the corresponding law, which will pave the way for a wider range of nuclear safety activities to be managed by the ICCA, in June 2024, the EBRD said.

It added that Norway recently announced an additional contribution to the ICCA worth €5.6m ($6.03m), confirming Oslo’s “unwavering support” for international decommissioning and nuclear remediation efforts in Ukraine.