OECD NEA 147 meeting in Paris: participants discussed nuclear fuel supply, waste management and the multiplication of nuclear capacity

The Hungarian Atomic Energy Agency participated in the 147th meeting of the OECD Nuclear Energy Agency (NEA) Steering Committee held in Paris on 18-19 April 2024. Representatives of OECD NEA member countries and the nuclear industry discussed issues related to nuclear fuel supply in a policy debate since nuclear capacities are expected to triple by 2050, and the proliferation of small modular reactors will further increase the need for a stable fuel supply. It was noted that governmental commitment, the development of fuel recycling and waste management technologies, competent nuclear authorities and the application of an effective safeguards regime are all required to ensure that the safe, secure and peaceful use of nuclear energy is sustainable for the next century.

During the meeting, the Chairman of the NEA Radioactive Waste Management Committee presented the results of the committee's work and a report on the future direction of its activities. Special attention was paid to the need of establishing a more effective dialogue between authorities and bodies responsible for the implementation of waste management, in particular with respect to the future licensing process of deep geological storage facilities. It was underlined that more and more countries are interested in developing small modular reactors, Member States should place more emphasis on the management of the waste originating from these reactors.

OECD NEA informed the participants on the emerging possibilities for nuclear cooperation with Ukraine and African countries considering the future use of nuclear energy.

A report was also presented on the safe supply of medical radioisotopes, concerning the global challenge caused by the aging of isotope producing research reactors, including risks from outside the scope of nuclear safety affecting production and distribution. In view of these challenges, Member States decided that the supply of medical radioisotopes will be the topic for the policy briefing in April 2025.