Journalists are invited to attend a four-day International Conference in Paris to review fast reactor and fuel cycle technology advances, safety, economic and proliferation resistant related issues. More than 600 delegates from 28 countries are expected to participate.
This IAEA Conference is hosted by the Government of France through the French Alternative Energies and Atomic Energy Commission (CEA) and the French Nuclear Energy Society (SFEN), in cooperation with the OECD Nuclear Energy Agency (NEA). It is being held in Le Palais des Congrès de Paris, 2 place de la Porte Maillot.
Fast reactors offer the potential to dramatically increase the amount of energy produced from nuclear fuel, compared to conventional power reactors, by breeding and recycling nuclear fuel, and significantly reducing the amount and radiotoxicity of waste that needs to be disposed of safely.
China, India and the Russian Federation have fast reactors in operation. Furthermore, a number of countries are actively developing fast reactors and there are a several demonstration projects, of a variety of sizes, under study or under construction.
The Conference provides a forum for the exchange of information about such new developments. It will also seek to identify gaps and key issues that need to be addressed towards the industrial-scale introduction of fast reactors, including public acceptance. As well, there will be a focus on engaging young people in innovative fast reactor and fuel-cycle development concepts.
Keynote addresses will be given following the opening of the Conference at 08:00 on 4 March, by Laurent Michel, Director General of the French Ministry of Ecology, Sustainable Development and Energy; Yukiya Amano, Director General, IAEA (by video); Bernard Bigot, Chair of the French Alternative Energies and Atomic Energy Commission (CEA); and Yutaka Sagayama, vice-Chair of the Generation IV International Forum (GIF).
The last IAEA organized Fast Reactor Cconference was held in Kyoto, Japan in 2009.
Accreditation:
Journalists wishing to attend the Conference should please complete the Registration Form and return directly to Martina Khaelss.
More information about the Conference is available here.