International Conference on Stakeholder Engagement for Nuclear Power Programmes - Nuclear Communities and Mayors in Focus

Nuclear Communities and Mayors in Focus

IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi has invited mayors and representatives of communities hosting nuclear facilities from around the world to join the event “Nuclear Communities and Mayors in Focus”, which will take place during the first-ever IAEA International Conference on Stakeholder Engagement for Nuclear Power Programmes, to be held from 26 to 30 May 2025 in Vienna, Austria.

The event will serve as a unique platform for open dialogue and the exchange of ideas among municipal leaders from around the world. Mayors and communities’ representatives will have the opportunity to deliver statements related to their experience as well as the benefits and challenges of hosting nuclear facilities.

Programme | Tuesday, 27 May 2025

13:30 – 14:00 | Family photo (mayors only)

14:00 – 14:05 | Opening video

14:05 – 14:20 | Introductory speech by the IAEA Director General

14:20 – 15:30 | Remarks from Nuclear Communities’ Associations and Local Governments

• Mr Gerben Dijksterhuis, Mayor of Borsele, Chair of the Group of European Municipalities with Nuclear Facilities (GMF)
• Mr Adrian Foster, Mayor of Clarington, Chair of the Canadian Association of Nuclear Host Communities (CANHC), Canada
• Mr Huang Mingquan, Director General of Department of System Engineering of CAEA and Representative of the Nuclear Community of China, China
• Mr Zoltán Szalonna, Mayor of Véménd, Social Oversight and Information Association (TETT) of Hungary, Hungary
• Ms Liudmila Danilova, Vice President of the “Association of Indigenous Peoples of Chukotka”, Russian Federation
• Mr D. Juan Pedro Sánchez, Mayor of Yebra, President of the Association of Municipalities in Nuclear Areas (AMAC), Spain
• Mr David Moore, Chair of the Nuclear Legacy Advisory Forum (Nuleaf), United Kingdom
• Ms Rebecca Casper, Vice President of the Energy Communities Alliance (ECA), Mayor of the City of Idaho Falls, United States of America
• Mr Yoshinori Yamaguchi, Governor of Saga Prefecture, Japan (video message)
• Mr Cheol-Woo Lee, Governor of Gyengsangbuk-do Province, Republic of Korea (video message)

15:30 – 18:00 | Mayors' statements (in alphabetical order by country)

Argentina

• Mr Celso Jaque, Mayor of Malargüe
• Mr Mario Rivarola, Mayor, Municipality of Embalse

Bangladesh

• Mr Subir Kumra Das, Upazila Nirbahi Officer, Pabna District
• Mr Mohammad Mofizul Islam, Deputy Commissioner, Pabna District

Belgium

• Mr Kris Van Dijck, Mayor of Dessel, Member of the European Parliament

Canada

• Ms Suzanne D'Eon, Mayor of Deep River
• Ms Kimberly Baigrie, Mayor of Ignace

• Mr Kenneth Craig, Mayor of Kincardine

China

• Mr Zhu Hailong, Vice Mayor of Maoming Municipal People’s Government, Guangdong Province
• Mr Zheng Yuewen, Mayor of Rongcheng Municipal People's Government, Shandong Province

Finland

• Mr Vesa Lakaniemi, Mayor of Eurajoki
• Mr Tomas Björkroth, Mayor of Loviisa 

France

• Mr Pascal Benoit, Mayor of Golfech 
• Mr Bertrand Ringot, Mayor of Gravelines

India

• Ms Deepti Mittal, Municipal Chairperson of Bulandshahr District 
• Ms Ujawala Kale, Mayor of Nagaradhyaksh Palghar

Kazakhstan

• Mr Bolat Abdraliyev, Mayor of Kurchatov City

Lithuania

• Mr Erlandas Galaguz, Mayor of Visaginas Municipality 

Namibia

• Mr Blasius Goraseb, Mayor of Swakopmund 

The Netherlands

• Mr Gerben Dijksterhuis, Mayor of Borsele

Norway

• Mr Fredrik Holm, Mayor of Halden

Russian Federation

• Mr Andrei Zakhartsev, Head of Zarechny Municipal District

Slovak Republic

• Mr Igor Gogora, Mayor of Kalná nad Hronom

Spain

• Mr Juan Antonio Díaz Agraz, Mayor of Almaraz
• Ms José Miguel López Aguirre, Mayor of Almonacid de Zorita
• Mr Miquel Àngel Ribes i Jornet, Mayor of Ascó
• Mr Jorge Peña García, Mayor of Trillo
• Mr D. Juan Pedro Sánchez, Mayor of Yebra (AMAC President) 

South Africa

• Mr William Matsheke, Executive Mayor, Rand West City Local Municipality  

Sweden

• Mr Fabian Sjöberg, Municipal Commissioner of Östhammars Kommun 

Türkiye

• Mr Fatih Önge, Mayor of Gülnar

Ukraine

• Mr Yurii Fomichev, Mayor of Slavutych
• Mr Oleksandr Menzul, Mayor of Varash 

United Kingdom

• Mr Paul Thomas, District Councillor for New Romney, Folkestone & Hythe District Council 

United States of America

• Ms Rebecca Casper, Mayor of the City of Idaho Falls
• Mr JJ Chavez, Mayor Pro Tem, City of Carlsbad
• Mr Casey Hancock, Mayor of the City of Hartsville
   

19:15 | Gala dinner (invitation only)