Positive future for nuclear, Amano tells summit

Wednesday, 15 February 2017

Nuclear power will play an important role in meeting the world's future energy needs, International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) director general Yukiya Amano told the World Government Summit in Dubai yesterday.

The event is a global platform dedicated to shaping the future of government worldwide. Each year, it sets the agenda for the next generation of governments with a focus on how they can harness innovation and technology to solve universal challenges facing humanity.

"The use of nuclear power looks set to continue to grow in the coming decades," Amano said during a plenary session on the future of nuclear power. He said many countries were considering nuclear power in order to address development and energy security, and to help mitigate climate change.

Thirty countries are considering introducing nuclear energy, he said, and need support in order to use it safely, securely and sustainably.

Amano highlighted the importance of nuclear safety and security. He stressed that lessons have been learned from the 2011 accident at Japan's Fukushima Daiichi plant. "After Fukushima, no one challenges that safety must come first," he said. "And we have learned many lessons from this accident. I see the changes in every nuclear power plant I visit."

During the summit, Amano met with Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, United Arab Emirates' minister of foreign affairs and international cooperation. They discussed ways to enhance cooperation between the UAE and the Vienna-based agency.

Speaking to Mohamed Al Hammadi, CEO of Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation, Amano said, "We will continue to work closely with the UAE as they complete all four units at Barakah, and throughout the operating life of the facility and beyond." He added, "I very much welcome that the UAE is now sharing their experience with other newcomers to nuclear power."

Researched and written
by World Nuclear News