Proceedings of an international ministerial conference on nuclear power for the 21st century

The aim of this conference was to analyse the current trend in world nuclear power development as a result of recent considerations by a number of Member States regarding the future use and benefits of nuclear power. It is widely recognized that global energy demand will rise substantially during this century. The increased industrialization and urbanization of developing countries will produce large increases in energy demand in regions that currently have a very low per capita energy use. This increasing demand for energy will need to be met in order to improve living standards for the less well provided half of the world's population and to reduce the economic imbalances between countries and regions. At the same time, the use of fossil fuel based energy is identified as a major cause of environmental damage. The release of greenhouse gases by burning fossil fuel in power stations and for transport is seen as a contributor to global warming. It is widely recognized that continued exploitation of fossil fuels and releases of carbon dioxide will need to be controlled. After a prolonged period of slow development of nuclear power, confined to only some countries of the world, it is now being recognized that nuclear energy has a potentially significant role to play in meeting the energy needs of the planet without damaging the environment. Developments in technology make the economics of nuclear power more attractive, and they may become even more so as fossil fuel prices continue to rise. For a widespread use of nuclear power, however, there remain concerns on the safety, security, waste and proliferation aspects. The global application of safety standards and appropriate security measures is required to ensure acceptable levels of protection. Effective control measures are required to ensure that non-proliferation commitments are honoured. Handling nuclear waste safely and securely is achievable, but continues to remain a public concern. The broad strategic objectives of the conference were the following: 1) To review the role of nuclear power and to define the potential benefits (energy security, sustainability and improved environmental protection) that expanding nuclear power offers to meet the increasing energy needs of the world. 2) To facilitate a discussion on the issue of nuclear energy and society involving experts and decision makers. The conference consisted of two major elements. The first element was invited ministerial presentations on the current and future role of nuclear power in the context of national energy strategies, while the second was round table discussions involving renowned international experts to discuss: World energy needs and resources; Environmental challenges of the 21st century; Driving factors for strategies and choices; Governance issues. This conference was held to enable the future of nuclear power to be discussed at the ministerial level. Participation included 465 experts from 69 IAEA Member States and eight international organizations. Presentations of national visions on the future of nuclear power by 25 ministers in person, and seven presentations made on behalf of Ministers, demonstrated the timeliness and importance of the conference. The participation of about 75 press and media representatives and broad media coverage were further indications of the wide interest in the future of nuclear power. In many views presented, and in two round table discussions, the potential significant role of nuclear energy in meeting the energy needs of the planet was recognized, in particular that: 1) Developments in technology and improvements in management resulted in better safety, and that the economics of nuclear power made it increasingly attractive and fully competitive. 2) Nuclear power can contribute in meeting the needs of the Millennium Development Goals and the Johannesburg Plan of Implementation, such as the eradication of poverty and hunger, universal access to plentiful fresh water and energy, and environmental sustainability, without contributing to global environmental s tress. Several countries addressed the IAEA for assistance in commencing, or expanding, nuclear power programmes. Ministers also emphasized the importance of the highest nuclear safety levels, the highest level of security of nuclear material and facilities, conforming to international non-proliferation objectives and the management of spent fuel and radioactive waste. France, as the host government, had consultations with a number of Member States, and the Final Statement prepared for the Conference President reflected a broad convergence of views from the vast majority of participants expressed at the conference. It includes widespread support for the development and use of nuclear power for electricity production, water desalination, hydrogen production and other purposes. Developing countries identified their needs and expectations in the use of nuclear power, and it was recognized that the IAEA can support and assist them in investigating their needs, and the steps necessary to adopt nuclear energy, while understanding that each State is free to define its own energy policy. The IAEA was recognized as having an essential role to play in facilitating the development and use of nuclear energy with due regard to the issues of safety, security and non-proliferation, in fostering international cooperation and in information dissemination on nuclear power to the public. The importance of international research and development programmes in the development of innovative nuclear systems, to enable nuclear power to thrive, was emphasized