International Ministerial Conference in Paris

On 21 & 22 March, ministers and government officials from 74 countries and experts representing 10 international organisations attended an International Ministerial Conference, in Paris, entitled "Nuclear Power for the 21st Century." This high-level conference was organised by the IAEA and hosted by the French government in collaboration with the OECD and the OECD Nuclear Energy Agency.

Delegations from across the globe, including the USA, China, Saudi Arabia, Brazil and Korea, gathered in the French capital to examine the future role of nuclear in meeting the energy needs of the world. Delegations presented their views on the current and future role of nuclear power within the context of their national energy strategy.

Among the keynote presentations were those given by the French Industry minister and President of the conference, Patrick Devedjian; Donald Johnston, Secretary General of the OECD; and Mohammed El Baradei, Director General of the IAEA.

Messrs Devedjian and El Baradei, accompanied by NEA Director General, Echavarri, gave a press conference to the massed ranks of journalists.

At the end of the conference, the IAEA released a Declaration. In it they highlighted how a vast majority of participants believe that nuclear power can make a major contribution to meeting the energy needs and supporting global development in the 21st Century, provided that the highest levels of safety are observed at nuclear plants and during the management of spent fuel and radioactive waste. The Declaration also stressed how the IAEA has an essential role to play in furthering the use of nuclear energy for peaceful purposes and that the OECD/NEA provides invaluable objective analysis and expertise on a range of nuclear issues.