Nuclear technologies benefit people in many areas, including health, agriculture, the generation of electricity and manufacturing. The radioactive waste generated by such processes can be safely managed, using robust and sustainable approaches to ensure that it poses no risk to people or the environment, now or in the future.
This is the focus of this year's IAEA Scientific Forum, being held on 23 and 24 September 2014 on the sidelines of the Agency's annual meeting of its 162-member states, the General Conference.
The two day event, Radioactive Waste: Meeting the Challenge - Science and Technology for Safe and Sustainable Solutions, is open to the media, and will be streamed live from the opening at 10.00 CET on 23 September 2014.
International experts on radioactive waste will highlight the science and technology available to develop safe, secure and sustainable solutions for its management. The meeting will also highlight how the IAEA is supporting its Member States in meeting the challenge.
"It is up to each country using nuclear technology to ensure the safe management and disposal of waste. But countries can benefit greatly from each other's experiences. Providing a forum for exchanges of experience and best practice is one of the key roles of the IAEA," said IAEA Director General Yukiya Amano.
The two-day Forum is divided into four sessions that follow the journey of radioactive waste from its generation to final disposal:
- The first session provides an overview of the peaceful uses of nuclear technologies, the radioactive waste they generate, and of integrated management approaches adapted to various waste classes, as well as associated economic, security and safeguards considerations;
- The second session develops the steps required to manage radioactive waste before its disposal;
- The third illustrates disposal solutions for radioactive waste that must remain under regulatory control; and
- The fourth and final session focuses on how evolving nuclear technologies, such as better use of nuclear fuel, innovative fuels and advanced reactors and fuel cycles, could affect future waste management needs.
Journalists are invited to attend all parts of the meeting. More information is available here including a brochure featuring brief biographies of Forum panelists. Some of the experts taking part in the Forum are available for interviews. Please contact IAEA Press Officer Peter Rickwood or the IAEA Press Office for more details, including requests to interview participating experts.