IAEA director general Rafael Grossi said nuclear power had shed the “unjustified reluctance and doubts” of past decades, and was now recognised globally as a safe and reliable energy source.
“There will be no risks in terms of proliferation or safety, and it will facilitate access for developing countries.
“It is very important that, with the observance of these parameters, the access for all countries to nuclear technology is ensured,” he said at the opening of the World Atomic Week International Forum here.
World Nuclear Association director general Sama Bilbao echoed the sentiment, saying nuclear power was indispensable for future development.
She highlighted the pledge made at the COP28 summit by 31 countries and global financiers to triple global nuclear capacity by 2050.
“Nuclear energy has to be and is a key component of our future growth and development. The question is no longer whether nuclear is part of the puzzle, but how much and how fast.
“Now is the moment for all of us to work together to make this goal a reality, because the world needs a clean, 24/7 energy source to power development, progress and quality of life,” she said.
Russian deputy prime minister Alexander Novak said Moscow saw nuclear power not just as an industry but as a strategic sector underpinning its economy.
He said Russia aimed to raise nuclear’s share in its energy mix from 20% to 25%, while developing new technologies such as small modular reactors and closed fuel cycles.
“This forum is a unique platform for building trust and developing cooperation with our partners in nuclear energy. These new areas will form the basis for prosperity and the increased use of environmentally friendly nuclear energy worldwide.”
Sergey Kiriyenko, first deputy chief of staff of the Russian presidential administration, said the scale of international participation underscored the growing importance of nuclear energy.
“More and more countries are choosing to develop reliable, clean, safe and efficient nuclear energy. The agreements and partnerships reached here will determine the fate of our planet for the next 100 years,” he said.
Rosatom director general Alexey Likhachev added that World Atomic Week was showcasing new platforms, including the Global Atomic Forum and a BRICS nuclear meeting, while reaffirming partnerships with the IAEA and other industry bodies.
The forum, held from Sept 25 to Sept 28 in Moscow, brings together government leaders, international organisations, industry players and experts to discuss the future of nuclear energy and its role in global development.