9 March 2010: The International Conference on Access to Civil Nuclear Energy convened in Paris, France, from 8-9 March 2010, to discuss the promotion of nuclear energy technology for peaceful purposes.
Jointly organized by the Nuclear Energy Agency (NEA) of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and the Government of France, the conference brought together ministerial level representatives from 45 countries, executives of international organizations, industrial and financial managers, researchers and public figures.
In their opening speeches to the conference, French President Nicolas Sarkozy, President of the European Commission José Manuel Durão Barroso, OECD Secretary-General Angel Gurría, and IAEA Director General Yukiya Amano noted that nuclear power is enjoying growing acceptance as a stable and clean source of energy that can help to mitigate the impact of climate change.
Participants discussed nuclear energy promotion issues such as financing, technology transfer, research and development, safety, waste management, the front and back-ends of the fuel cycle and training. Specifically, participants met in six roundtables on: nuclear power and the energy mix in a sustainable development perspective; appropriate frameworks for responsible development of nuclear energy; supporting new nuclear countries; financing a nuclear programme; training issues; and the medium and long-term outlook for nuclear power. [Conference Website] [Speech of President Sarkozy] [Speech of IAEA Director General Yukiya Amano] [Speech of OECD Secretary-General Angel Gurría] [Speech of President of the European Commission, José Manuel Durão Barroso (French only)]