Scope

The International Conference on Geological Repositories (ICGR) brings together high-level decision-makers from regulatory and local government bodies, waste management organisations and public stakeholder communities to review current perspectives of geological repository development. Conferences are held every 4-5 years.

Objectives

The objectives of the ICGR are:

• to take stock of progress every 4 years in developing and implementing geological repositories; 
• to advance mutual learning, exchange perspectives and experiences; 
• to examine the status and trends in radioactive waste management, current issues and challenges in different developmental stages and document state-of-the-art information; 
• to consider the social, political, scientific and economic aspects of geological repositories; 
• to showcase the national program and progress made in the host country.

Background

Global consensus exists within the international community that geological repositories provide the necessary long-term safety and security to isolate long-lived waste from the human environment over extended timescales. It is also feasible to construct these repositories using current technologies. However, challenges remain in many countries as regards the technical merits and safety of repositories, including building and maintaining public confidence, availability of skilled staff as well as transfer of information and expertise. The involvement of the younger generation is also often challenging, but crucial for the sustainable development of geological disposals.

Previous conferences have been held in Denver (1999), Stockholm (2003), Berne (2007), Toronto (2012) and Paris (2016). The sixth ICGR, with its theme Advancing Geological Repositories from Concept to Operation, is planned to be held on 4-8 April 2022 in Helsinki, Finland. It has been designed to show the significant progress in developing geological repositories over the last two decades by:

• promoting the sharing of information and experience;
• discussing various best practices in demonstrating technical reliability;
• sharing approaches in building human capacity and building stakeholder confidence in the safe construction and operation of long-term geological repositories.