[en] Renewed interest in nuclear energy is driven by the need to develop carbon free energy sources, by demographics and development in emerging economies, as well as by security of supply concerns. It is expected that nuclear energy will deliver huge amounts of energy to both emerging and developed economies. However, acceptance of large scale contributions would depend on satisfaction of key drivers to enhance sustainability in terms of economics, safety, adequacy of natural resources, waste reduction, non-proliferation and public acceptance. Fast spectrum reactors with recycle enhance the sustainability indices significantly. This has led to the focus on fast spectrum reactors with recycle in the Generation IV International Forum (GIF) and the International Project on Innovative Nuclear Reactors and Fuel Cycles (INPRO) initiative of the IAEA. It is expected that 2009 will register major events in the domain of fast spectrum reactors, that is, the restart of Monju in Japan, the first criticality of the China Experimental Fast Reactor in China, as well as new insights through end-of-life studies in Phenix, France. New fast reactors are expected to be commissioned in the near future: the 500 MW(e) Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor in India and the BN-800 unit in the Russian Federation. Moreover, China, France, India, Japan, Republic of Korea and the United States of America are preparing advanced prototypes/ demonstrations and/or commercial reactors for the 2020-2030 horizon. The necessary condition for successful fast reactor deployment in the near and mid-term is the understanding and assessment of innovative technological and design options, based on both past knowledge and experience, as well as on ongoing research and technology development efforts. In this respect, the need for in-depth international information exchange is underscored by the fact that the last large international fast reactor conference was held as far back as 1991. Since then, progress in research and development, as well as in design, has not been reported in a coordinated manner, which has made planning and implementation of expensive research and technology development programmes rather difficult. There is a perceived need for an appropriate forum to achieve the twin objectives of exchanging experience and innovative ideas among experts, and of sharing knowledge and mentoring, whereby experienced scientists and technologists, as well as fast reactor programme managers, would share their perspectives with the future generation of young scientists and technologists, helping them to choose research problems of eminence and pursue their careers to meet the challenges of the development of fast reactors with recycle. After almost 20 years, this is also the appropriate time, as fast reactor programmes are currently on an accelerated growth path in many countries of the world. It is in light of this that the IAEA convened on 7-11 December 2009 in Kyoto, Japan, the International Conference on 'Fast Reactors and Related Fuel Cycles - Challenges and Opportunities (FR09)', hosted by the Japan Atomic Energy Agency. This conference aimed at promoting the exchange of information on national and multinational programmes and new developments and experience, with the goal of identifying and critically reviewing problems of importance, and stimulating and facilitating cooperation, development and successful deployment of fast reactors in an expeditious manner