General Conference: Day 5 Highlights

The common challenges for regulatory infrastructure development for countries embarking on nuclear power plants were the focus of the Regulatory Cooperation Forum Plenary Meeting. Participants reviewed the implementation so far of IAEA Regulatory Cooperation Forum (RCF) Strategic Plan 2020-2024 and discussed experiences of newcomer countries and the support they have received from regulators in countries with established nuclear power sectors.

The event Inauguration of the Women in Nuclear ARCAL Regional Chapter, saw the official inauguration of the Women in Nuclear chapter for the Regional Co-operation Agreement for the Promotion of Nuclear Science and Technology in Latin America and the Caribbean (ARCAL). Women in Nuclear (WiN) is an international non-profit organization with over 35 000 members, all dedicated to highlighting and expanding the role of female professionals in the nuclear sector.

The European Nuclear Experimental Educational Platform was presented at the European Nuclear Experimental Educational Platform and Nuclear Capacity Building Based on Research Reactors event, organized by Hungary. The platform is a new European collaboration offering training opportunities to universities and young nuclear professionals from all over the world. At the event participants also heard about the IAEA tools used to support countries in capacity building for their nuclear science and technology programmes using research reactors.

The event Cooperating with Women in Nuclear: Supporting Talent in the Nuclear Field, organized by Mexico, enhanced awareness and visibility of the role of women in nuclear science and technology and development. Panellists addressed the main issues that women working in the nuclear field are facing, and provided a clear direction on the best ways to resolve issues and challenges, including a vision to attract more women and girls to pursue a career in the nuclear field.

The Discussion Panel: Clean Energy Planning from a Gender Perspective, organized by Argentina, gave an overview of the main approaches towards effectively incorporating a gender perspective in clean energy planning. Participants heard about nuclear energy’s relevance not only as a technical part of the solution to the climate crisis, but also from a social perspective considering the role that women play in the management and conservation of nature’s assets globally and, more specifically, in Latin America and the Caribbean.

The IAEA and World Nuclear Association (WNA) signed an agreement to cooperate in promoting the peaceful uses of nuclear science and technology. WNA has become a partner to Nuclear Saves, an opportunity for companies and organizations to support the IAEA in transferring nuclear science and technology to countries to improve the health and well-being of people. As an advocacy partner, WNA will promote the Agency’s messages and achievements in this area.