Global networks or fora focus on specific aspects of nuclear safety and security, such as safety regulatory infrastructure (RegNet), technical support organizations (TSO Forum), safety assessment (GSAN), etc. They provide focused collaboration on a particular field of expertise, in support of global nuclear safety harmonization. Global networks support national and international actors in sharing of regulatory knowledge, practices and information and in fostering collaboration on nuclear safety and security matters.

Regional networks/organizations provide membership to regions around the globe (ANNuR, ANSN, EuCAS, FNRBA, FORO). They constitute a forum for the exchange of regulatory experiences and practices among the radiation and nuclear regulatory bodies of a specific region and help strengthen and harmonize radiation protection and the nuclear safety and security regulatory infrastructure of their members.

National Nuclear Safety Knowledge Platforms (National Platforms) are established under the Global Nuclear Safety and Security Network (GNSSN) and serve two purposes:

1. Information Area: First, for sharing reference information about the respective national nuclear safety infrastructure with a wider global audience. This part of the National Platforms has an agreed structure and content. It should be made publicly available were possible. The National Platforms can serve national, regional, and global stakeholders as an authoritative source of information, maintained directly by the respective Member State. This Information Area contains information on radiation and nuclear facilities and activities, a Country Nuclear Regulatory Profile (CNRP), general country and nuclear safety infrastructure information, access to country related national and international reports, projects, databases, and legal references, etc.. The entire content is provided on a voluntary basis by Member States.

2. Collaboration Area: Second, as platform for a wide range of national collaboration and knowledge management activities with respect to safety of facilities and activities that give rise to radiation risks. This part of the National Platforms has a flexible architecture and contains knowledge built on by communities of practice, coordinating or working groups as well as training or e-learning groups. The platform has shared workspaces for projects, meetings or teams, document management areas with controlled access rights for topical communities and many more. The detailed arrangements are made by the respective Member State to best meet national needs and priorities.

Most of the GNSSN member countries are facing several challenges related to health care; agricultural production, food security; the management of natural resources, and sustainable energy. These challenges are often multidimensional originated by a very complex and divers nuclear safety and security infrastructure. An effective global collaboration framework with the sufficient human resources and the IT technology will be a practical solution to tackle these challenges. With this context, thematic networks contribution is i) to foster the convergence of technical nuclear safety practices, ii) to collaborate internationally with other regional or thematic networks; and iii) to provide for an efficient forum for voluntary exchange of experiences and technical and scientific expertise.