Tuesday, June 11, 2013

International Ministerial Conference on Nuclear Power in the 21st Century

International Ministerial Conference on Nuclear Power in the 21st Century
Saint Petersburg, Russian Federation
27-29 June 2013 Conference ID: 43049  (CN-206)
Organized by the
International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)

In Cooperation with
OECD/Nuclear Energy Agency
Hosted by the
Government of the Russian Federation
ANNOUNCEMENT A. Background

Following the successful Ministerial Conferences held in Paris, France, in March 2005, and in Beijing, China, in April 2009, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) is organizing the International Ministerial Conference on Nuclear Power in the 21st Century in Saint Petersburg, Russian Federation, from 27 to 29 June 2013.

After the accident at TEPCO’s Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant (NPP), the IAEA’s projections for the future of nuclear power show continued growth globally, albeit at a slower pace than previously expected. Though the accident may have had a negative impact on global public opinion on nuclear power and a few countries have decided not to build new nuclear reactors or to move towards the closure of their NPPs, the majority of countries operating NPPs or planning for their first plants have indicated their intention to continue with their current plans. The factors contributing to interest in nuclear power have not changed: growing global demand for energy, as well as concerns about the environment, including climate change, volatile fossil fuel prices and security of energy supply. These are important considerations in the energy planning of States. Nuclear power is a proven technology that can make an important contribution in addressing them.

B. Objectives

The conference aims to provide an opportunity to take stock of, and discuss, at a high ministerial and international experts’ level: (i) the role and viability of nuclear power in sustainable development, including climate change mitigation, and in meeting the growing global requirements for electricity; and (ii) the status and prospects of nuclear power for the future, including the importance of nuclear safety and security as necessary prerequisites for nuclear power, as well as different technical aspects involved in the development of nuclear power.

C. Conference Structure and Major Topics

The conference will consist of:

• A plenary session at which national statements will be delivered;
• Panel sessions with presentations and round-table discussions among internationally recognized experts.

Panel sessions are envisaged to cover the following major topics:

? Energy and the Environment

This session will discuss energy economics and competitiveness, linkages between energy and sustainable development, and the role of nuclear power in addressing the challenges of energy security and climate change.

? Nuclear Safety and Reliability through International Cooperation

This session will focus on the continuous improvement of the performance and reliability of NPPs, international and national perspectives on the subject, and measures to strengthen nuclear safety, including in countries with rapidly expanding nuclear power programmes, and the interface between nuclear safety and security.

? Infrastructure, Technology and Institutional Developments — The Way Forward

This session will discuss infrastructure issues in new nuclear power programmes, human resources for the future, new models for financing nuclear projects and developments in radioactive waste management.

? Drivers for Deployment of Sustainable and Innovative Technology

This session will provide for discussions on what governments and other investors can do to create conditions that foster the deployment of innovative technologies, such as fast reactors, closed fuel cycles and new designs of small modular reactors.
The above topics will be presented by internationally recognized experts to be followed by panel discussions with and among participants.

D. Participation

All persons wishing to participate in the conference are requested to register online in advance. In addition, they must send a completed Participation Form (Form A) and, if applicable, the Grant Application Form (Form C) as soon as possible to the competent official authority (Ministry of Foreign Affairs or National Atomic Energy Authority) for subsequent transmission to the IAEA.

A participant will be accepted only if the Participation Form is transmitted through the Government of a Member State of the IAEA or by an organization invited to participate by 1 June 2013.

Participants whose official designations have been received by the IAEA will receive further information on the conference at least three months before the start of the conference. This information will also be made available on the conference web page (see Section L).

E. Expenditures

No registration fee is charged to participants.

The IAEA is generally not in a position to bear the travel and other costs of designated participants in the conference. The IAEA has, however, limited funds at its disposal to help meet the cost of attendance of selected specialists from Member States, with special attention to developing countries. Such assistance may be offered upon specific request provided that in the IAEA’s view the participants on whose behalf assistance is requested will make an important contribution to the conference. In general, not more than one grant will be awarded to any one country.

If governments wish to apply for a grant on behalf of one of their specialists, they should address specific requests to the IAEA to this effect. Governments should ensure that applications for grants are:

1. Submitted by 31 January 2013;
2. Accompanied by a duly completed and signed Grant Application Form (Form C);
3. Accompanied by a completed Participation Form (Form A).

Applications that do not comply with the above conditions cannot be considered.

Approved grants will be issued in the form of a lump sum payment that usually covers only part of the cost of attendance.

F. Documents and Proceedings

A preliminary programme can be consulted on the conference web page. The final programme will be made available upon registration at the conference. National statements in the original languages, PowerPoint presentations as available, and other relevant documents will be posted on the conference web page during the conference.

G. Exhibitions

A limited amount of space will be available for displays/exhibits during the conference. Details will be provided on the conference web page in the near future.

H. Working Language

The working languages of the conference will be all the official IAEA languages: Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian, and Spanish.

I. Accommodation

Detailed information on accommodation and other administrative details will be made available on the conference web page well in advance of the conference.

J. Visas

Designated participants who require a visa to enter the Russian Federation should submit the necessary application(s) to the nearest diplomatic or consular representative of the Russian Federation as early as possible, but at least one month before the start of the conference.

K. IAEA Secretariat for the Conference

Scientific Secretariat:

Ms Anne Starz
Department of Nuclear Energy
International Atomic Energy Agency
Vienna International Centre
PO Box 100
1400 VIENNA, AUSTRIA
Tel.: +43 1 2600 26742
Email: ministerial.conference2013@iaea.org

Mr Masahiro Yagi
Department of Nuclear Energy
International Atomic Energy Agency
Vienna International Centre
PO Box 100
1400 VIENNA, AUSTRIA
Tel.: +43 1 2600 22878
Email: ministerial.conference2013@iaea.org

Ms Fanny Bazile
Department of Nuclear Energy
International Atomic Energy Agency
Vienna International Centre
PO Box 100
1400 VIENNA, AUSTRIA
Tel.: +43 1 2600 22833
Email: ministerial.conference2013@iaea.org

Mr Paul Woodhouse
Department of Nuclear Safety and Nuclear Security
International Atomic Energy Agency
Vienna International Centre
PO Box 100
1400 VIENNA, AUSTRIA
Tel.: +43 1 2600 22432
Email: ministerial.conference2013@iaea.org

Administration and organization:

Ms Karen Morrison
Conference Services Section
Division of Conference and Document Services
IAEA-CN-206
International Atomic Energy Agency
Vienna International Centre
PO Box 100
1400 VIENNA, AUSTRIA
Tel.: +43 1 2600 21317
Email: ministerial.conference2013@iaea.org

L. Conference Web Page

The IAEA web page for the conference is as follows:

http://www-pub.iaea.org/iaeameetings/43049/cn206

It will be updated regularly with new information, and participants are encouraged to check it on a regular basis.
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