Nearly 200 senior leaders in the international nuclear sector from 31 countries came together in Paris today to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the OECD Nuclear Energy Agency (NEA) and to discuss the current state and future prospects for nuclear energy. To mark the occasion, the NEA organised a special high‑level session for senior leaders in the nuclear sector.
The session opened with video remarks from the OECD Secretary‑General Angel Gurría, an address from Dr Marta Žiaková, Slovak Republic, Chair, NEA Steering Committee for Nuclear Energy, and was chaired by NEA Director‑General William D. Magwood, IV. Participants included Alexey Likhachev, Director General, State Atomic Energy Corporation "Rosatom", Russia, Dr Yoshiaki Oka, Chairman, Japan Atomic Energy Commission (JAEC), Kristine L. Svinicki, Chairman, United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC), and Daniel Verwaerde, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, French Alternative Energies and Atomic Energy Commission (CEA).
On the path towards a low‑carbon energy future, nuclear energy's benefits as the only large‑scale, dispatchable source of pollution‑free energy are more important today than ever. However, the nuclear sector must evolve in order to make nuclear plants more flexible and cost‑efficient while achieving high levels of nuclear safety. New NEA efforts such as Nuclear Innovation 2050, which encourages multilateral co‑operation for a new era of nuclear technology innovation, and the Nuclear Education, Skills and Technology (NEST) Framework, which was set up to foster a new generation of nuclear experts and leaders, will assist in this regard.
"While no one energy option will solve all our needs, nuclear energy along with renewables and other technologies can provide a balanced, sustainable approach for today and for the long‑term future," Secretary‑General Gurría said in his video statement. "The NEA, which combines the cutting‑edge scientific and technical expertise with the policy discussions and the policy solutions, will be key for delivering this future that we all depend on."
"There have been many successes and accomplishments over the last 60 years. While we take this opportunity to recognise the tremendous contributions of the men and women who have served with the NEA over the decades, we are excited by the road before us, the challenges ahead and the as yet unknown priorities of tomorrow," said Director‑General Magwood. "The work of the NEA is always just beginning."
60th Anniversary of the Nuclear Energy Agency (NEA)
Thursday, 19 April 2018 at 16:30-18:00
The session opened with video remarks from the OECD Secretary‑General Angel Gurría, an address from Dr Marta Žiaková, Slovak Republic, Chair, NEA Steering Committee for Nuclear Energy, and was chaired by NEA Director‑General William D. Magwood, IV. The event featured remarks by the following speakers on the current state and future prospects for nuclear energy:
- Dr Marta Žiaková, Slovak Republic, Chair, NEA Steering Committee for Nuclear Energy
- Ms Kristine L. Svinicki, Chairman, United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC)
- Mr Daniel Verwaerde, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, French Alternative Energies and Atomic Energy Commission (CEA)
- Mr Alexey Likhachev, Director General, State Atomic Energy Corporation "Rosatom" , Russia
- Dr Yoshiaki Oka, Chairman, Japan Atomic Energy Commission (JAEC)
- Mr Bertrand de L'Épinois, Chairman, World Association of Nuclear Operators (WANO) Paris Centre
- Ms Agneta Rising, Director General, World Nuclear Association (WNA)
- Mr Gerassimos Thomas, Deputy Director‑General for Energy, European Commission (EC)
