IAEA - International Atomic Energy Agency

11/16/2021 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 11/16/2021 07:12

Standing Advisory Group on Nuclear Energy Meets to Discuss Ways IAEA Can Enhance Support to Member States

Members of the IAEA's Standing Advisory Group on Nuclear Energy (SAGNE) last week reviewed IAEA programmatic activities on nuclear power, fuel cycle, knowledge management, nuclear science and related topics.

This is the final meeting of the seventh term of SAGNE (2019-2021), and based on the outcome of these discussions, the group will provide advice to Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi on how the IAEA can further enhance its support to Member States in these areas.

Mr Grossi highlighted that the topical discussion on "Stakeholder Engagement and Public Acceptance of Nuclear Power" was vital for the IAEA, especially following the COP26 climate summit, where many attendees perceived a marked shift in favour of the solutions that nuclear energy has long provided.

"It heartens me to see that your discussions include stakeholder engagement and public acceptance of nuclear power. The Agency is ramping up efforts to strengthen support to Member States in this area," said Mr Grossi.

He also highlighted the importance he gives to SAGNE members' advice, recalling that, following last year's SAGNE recommendations, he established an IAEA-wide Platform on SMRs and their applications. "This new Platform and the IAEA SMR Portal under development will ensure consistent and coordinated Agency's delivery as well as a single-entry point for Member States seeking the Agency's support in this area," he said.

The IAEA's activities addressing stakeholder engagement and public perception of nuclear power, non-electric applications of nuclear energy, knowledge management and human resources development, advanced fuels for SMRs, and advancements in neutron and ion beam science, were also discussed at the meeting.

"I hope that this year as well, SAGNE will help the Agency further strengthen and focus its activities in the interest of Member States and the nuclear community," said Per Lindell of Sweden, Senior Nuclear Power Advisor, and Chair of SAGNE.

SAGNE members are appointed by the Director General and serve in a personal capacity. They are recognized senior experts in the area of nuclear power and research reactors, the nuclear fuel cycles, radioactive waste management, decommissioning, energy-environmental planning, nuclear fusion and nuclear science. They are drawn from governments, research and technological centres, academic institutions and the nuclear industry.

Its current membership includes experts from Argentina, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Hungary, India, Japan, Jordan, the Republic of Korea, Romania, Russia, Spain, Sweden, Ukraine, the United Kingdom and the United States.