GMF meeting in Hungary with HAEA participation

GMF meeting in Hungary with HAEA participation

The General Assembly and seminar of the Group of European Municipalities with Nuclear Facilities (GMF) were held in Paks, Hungary this year. The GMF, which facilitates the exchange of information among the local population living near nuclear facilities related to the use of nuclear energy, celebrated its 25th anniversary in Paks on September 24, 2025. During the event, Hungarian Atomic Energy Authority also presented its regulatory tasks and provided information on its activities in the field of public communication.

At the seminar, local government representatives from settlements near nuclear facilities in several European countries, as well as representatives of local government associations for monitoring and information purposes in Hungary, were offered the opportunity to familiarize themselves with the tasks of the European Union related to nuclear energy, the Hungarian Atomic Energy Authority, the energy policy in Hungary, radioactive waste management, preparation activities related to new nuclear power plant, and the public communication activities of MVM Paks Nuclear Power Plant Ltd.

Panel discussions were held on the challenges faced in decommissioning and disposal of radioactive waste as well as on the practices to increase public engagement by GMF members, licensees and the International Atomic Energy Agency. The discussions covered cooperation and communication between local governments and nuclear power plant licensees, as well as how to reach and train the younger generation more effectively in the nuclear field.

On the day following the plenary meeting and seminar, the participants also had the opportunity to visit the Paks Nuclear Power Plant and the Bátaapáti low and intermediate level radioactive waste repository.