Representatives of nuclear power plant operators, reactor vendors, regulatory bodies, and technical support organizations from around the world will meet to discuss Strengthening Research and Development Effectiveness in the Light of the Accident at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant, 16-20 February 2015 at the Vienna headquarters of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).
The meeting is being organized in cooperation with the Nuclear Energy Agency of the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD/NEA). There will be a closing News Conference.
Some 150 experts representing 38 Member States and five international organisations are expected to attend the meeting to share information and experiences on research and development (R&D) undertaken in the wake of the 2011 accident at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant in Japan. The International Experts Meetings (IEM) are part of the programme of work to implement the IAEA Action Plan on Nuclear Safety. This is the eighth in the series of IEMs held since 2012 on topics such as radiation protection, decommissioning and remediation, and severe accident management. The aim of this month’s meeting, which will be chaired by Bismark Tyobeka, Chief Executive Officer of the National Nuclear Regulator of South Africa, is to help Member States plan and implement R&D work in safety, technology, and engineering for new and existing nuclear power plants. The following R&D topics will be addressed:
- R&D strategies after the Fukushima accident;
- Common cause failures due to external and international events;
- Technologies to prevent or mitigate severe accidents;
- Severe accident analysis;
- Emergency preparedness and response; and
- Post-accident recovery
Press Opportunities:
- A Press Conference will be held at the conclusion of the meeting on 20 February. Members of the media who wish to attend and need accreditation to the VIC should contact the IAEA Press Office. Details including the exact time and participants will be made public once they are known.
- A report is expected to be published after the meeting. Presentations and discussions at the IEM will also be made available on the IAEA website.
Background on Nuclear Action Safety Plan
The IAEA Nuclear Safety Action Plan defines a comprehensive programme of work to strengthen the global nuclear safety framework in light of the Fukushima Daiichi accident. Member States endorsed the Plan unanimously at the 55th General Conference in September 2011. One of the Plan's 12 main actions is to effectively utilize the results of R&D and to share them, as appropriate.