The opening session of the Sixth International Conference on Geological Repositories (ICGR-6) in Helsinki, Finland. Photo: Krystal Kenney

There is consensus within the international scientific community that geological repositories can provide the necessary long-term safety and security to isolate long-lived waste from the human environment over extended timescales. At a global scale, there is now greater experience in developing the licensing of deep geological repositories (DGRs) that has established a foundational structure for other countries to explore and initiate their own DGRs. There are numerous cross-cutting aspects and societal elements to take into consideration in development of DGRs, including building and maintaining public confidence, ensuring sufficient human capacity, and transfer of information and expertise.

The Seventh International Conference on Geological Repositories (ICGR-7) will take place on 27-31 May 2024 in Busan, Korea. The event will bring 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. The objectives of the ICGR are to:

• take stock of progress made since 2022 in developing and implementing geological repositories for long-lived radioactive waste, and to advance mutual learning through the international forum for the exchange of perspectives and experiences;
• to examine the latest issues and challenges encountered by various stakeholders in different developmental stages by sharing experiences among countries developing geological repositories;
• to enhance international co-operation for transforming research results into practical and reliable technologies for the long-term implementation of disposal facilities;
• to identify opportunities to strengthen co-operation for building and maintaining confidence in the geological repository life cycle;
• to improve involvement of the younger generation in the development and research of geological disposal.

Building upon the success of previous conferences held in Denver (1999), Stockholm (2003), Berne (2007), Toronto (2012), Paris (2016), and Helsinki (2022), the seventh ICGR will also engage university students and young professionals, to ensure that younger generations are participating in, and contributing to, these important discussions which will have impacts on future generations.

The conference is co-organised with the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy of Korea, in co-operation with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and the European Commission (EC).

KORAD (Korea Radioactive Waste Agency) is the local host of ICGR-7.

Registration for ICGR-7 is currently open and will close on 27 April 2024. 

For general ICGR-7 registration, please click here. 

For young professional registration (individuals with 0-5 years of experience and under the age of 30), please click here. 

Optional ICGR-7 Site Visit to Wolsong LILW Disposal Center, Gyeongju, Republic of Korea on 31 May 2024 from 8h15-14h30

Site visit registration will open for registered and paid ICGR-7 participants on 4 March 2024 at 12h00 CET, and the link will be communicated via email to registered participants.

*Please note that the site visit registration deadline has been extended to 27 April*

Capacity is limited to 100 persons. If capacity is reached before this deadline, a waitlist will be established and you will be informed of your place on the waitlist. 

The call for ICGR-7 abstracts is now closed.

Notification to authors of abstract acceptance for poster presentations: 9 February 2024

Kindly note that all successful abstract submissions will be required to register for ICGR-7. 

Seifallah Ben Hadj Hassine (EC)

Sana Bilal (FANR, United Arab Emirates)

Yeonhee Hah (KINS, Korea)

Haeryong Jung (KORAD, Korea)

Chang Lak Kim (KEPCO, Korea)

Philippe Lalieux (ONDRAF-NIRAS, Belgium)

Karina Lange (IAEA)

Soufiane Mekki (NEA)

Morgan Packer (NEA)

Nuria Prieto Serrano (ENRESA, Spain)

Sylvia Saltzstein (SNL, United States)

Shauryavardhan Sharma (NEA)

Lisa Smadja (NEA)

Emily Stein (SNL, United States)

Rebecca Tadesse (NEA)

Hiroyuki Umeki (NUMO, Japan)

Ewoud Verhoef (COVRA, Netherlands)

Tim Vietor (NAGRA, Switzerland)

Lukas Vondrovic (SURAO, Czechia)

The ICGR-7 Younger Generation Session will be held on Monday, 27 May 2024, inviting the younger generation to explore nuclear energy education, research and career development opportunities, with a specific focus on enabling the establishment of DGR programmes. Delving into the initiatives of NEA, IAEA, and EC, with specific presentations dedicated to each organisation, the younger generation session will focus on methods for further engaging youth to foster academic and career growth in this field.

While ICGR-7 registered participants over the age of 30 are not eligible for the reduced younger generation fee, the younger generation session is open to all ICGR-7 participants (regardless of age) who are interested in contributing to the collective discussion.