[en] With an objective to enhance international emergency preparedness and response (EPR), the IAEA Board of Governors in 2004 approved the five-year International Action Plan for Strengthening the International Preparedness and Response System for Nuclear and Radiological Emergencies. In 2010 the action plan activities ended with a report that identified activities that need to be addressed by Member States and the IAEA Secretariat, recommended key strategic elements for successful implementation of sustainable EPR systems, and provided a number of detailed recommendations on international communications, international assistance and sustainable infrastructure. One of the key strategic elements recommended was to establish a senior EPR advisory group that would provide advice on EPR matters to the IAEA's Deputy Director General, Head of the Department of Nuclear Safety and Security. The Emergency Preparedness and Response Expert Group (EPREG) was established at the end of 2012 as a standing body of senior experts with high professional competence and demonstrated leadership in the field of preparedness for and response to radiation emergencies to provide advice to the IAEA Secretariat on actions needed to ensure continuous and coordinated EPR enhancement and implementation strategies. The group consists of 16 experts in EPR covering all regions. The first meeting of EPREG was convened on 11 and 12 February 2013. The purpose of the meeting was to constitute the EPREG, to discuss current international activities in the area of emergency preparedness and response and to discuss priorities for their further implementation