Outcome summary of the scientific program of the 16th IRPA Congress

The 16th International Congress of the International Radiation Protection Association (IRPA16), held in conjunction with the 69th Annual Meeting of the Health Physics Society (HPS) in Orlando, USA, provided an excellent platform for radiation protection professionals to exchange knowledge and advancements in radiological protection science and practice. The event featured 1241 participants from 67 countries, with 241 oral presentations and 440 posters spanning 11 thematic areas, including radiation health effects, dosimetry, medical applications, nuclear energy, and emergency preparedness. Key discussions covered updates on radiological protection systems, new findings in low-dose radiation epidemiology, and advancements in radiation measurement and dosimetry. Special focus was given to education and training, stakeholder engagement, and the integration of ethical considerations into radiological protection practices. The congress also highlighted emerging challenges in non-ionising radiation (NIR), medical radiation safety, and radioactive waste management. Notably, the prestigious Rolf M. Sievert Award was presented to Dr Maria del Rosario Perez for her significant contributions to global radiation protection, and the Gold Medal for Radiation Protection was awarded to Dr Ohtsura Niwa for his work in community engagement following the Fukushima accident. IRPA16 reinforced the importance of harmonising radiation protection standards globally and fostering interdisciplinary collaboration to address emerging scientific and societal challenges in radiological safety.