First Summit Of Nuclear Energy Will Be Held In Belgium Next Year, Discuss What?

Rafael Grossi. (Twitter/@iaeaorg)

JAKARTA - If nothing goes wrong, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) will hold a Nuclear Energy Summit in Brussels, Belgium next year highlighting the role of nuclear energy to address global challenges to reduce the use of fossil fuels, increase energy security and improve the economy.

Held by the IAEA with the Belgian Government on March 21-22, 2024, the summit will be chaired by IAEA Director-General Rafael Grossi and PM Alexander De Croo, will be the highest-level meeting to date focused on nuclear energy.

"The more countries that plan to introduce nuclear power in their energy mix or expand existing nuclear energy programs. We have seen clear positive changes in recent years, with the growing awareness that nuclear energy is an integral part of the solution to some of today's most pressing global challenges," Grossi explained, quoted from the IAEA website Oct. 11.

"The Nuclear Energy Summit will highlight new momentum for nuclear power, providing a high-level forum to show solutions to some of the problems facing this sector in order to realize its full potential, including from an industrial perspective. It will also be an event to build closer relations between political and industrial executives, which is very important for the future of nuclear power," he continued.

The summit will consist of high-level segments with heads of state and government, as well as a leading scientific debate with experts on issues ranging from new reactor technologies to hybrid energy systems that integrate nuclear power and renewable energy, as well as innovations across the fuel sector, to the life cycle of nuclear facilities.

Separate policy debates will focus on barriers that hinder the early implementation of new nuclear technologies. as well as identified solutions and opportunities around the world to tackle them.

This meeting will also review challenges such as supply security and the safe demolition of nuclear power reactors.

Around 30 countries are expected to participate in the summit, plus industry leaders, heads of think tank, experts and representatives of civil society.

"The leaders will have the opportunity to outline their vision, of how nuclear power can help them achieve net zero goals and sustainable development. While the world is struggling with a climate crisis, and at the same time it requires more energy, this summit is very important and timely, "explained Grossi.

"We all have to unite in this existential struggle that we face. Nuclear power is a clean and reliable source of energy and the world needs more energy," he said.

It is known, the IAEA estimates that the prospect of installed nuclear power will double to 890 gigawatts by 2050, compared to the current 369 gigawatts, an increase of 25 percent from 2020 projections and has been revised for three consecutive years.