Welcome to the OECD Nuclear Energy Agency

Developing sustainable decision-making in radioactive waste management
Participants from 14 countries explored how sustainable decisions can be developed in radioactive waste management at the 10^th national workshop of the NEA Forum on Stakeholder Confidence (FSC). Focused on "Bridging Gaps – Developing Sustainable Intergenerational Decision-making in Radioactive Waste Management", the workshop took place on 7-9 September 2016 in Bern, Switzerland with the support of the Swiss Federal Office of Energy (SFOE) and the participation of Swiss stakeholders. Opening remarks were delivered by the NEA Director-General William D. Magwood, IV, and Swiss Federal Councillor Doris Leuthard. The workshop provided a forum for the participants from around the world to learn from each other's experiences and to discuss what can be done today to take sustainable decisions which can be understood and accepted by future generations. Participants included a wide range of stakeholders, including representatives from the Swiss Federal Office of Energy (SFOE), the Swiss Federal Nuclear Safety Inspectorate (ENSI) and the Swiss implementer Nagra (National Cooperative for the Disposal of Radioactive Waste), as well as representatives of local communities and members of the public concerned, including ten young people between the ages of 16 and 25.

Global interest in the NEA International School of Nuclear Law
The 16^th session of the NEA International School of Nuclear Law (ISNL) was held from 22 August to 2 September 2016 in Montpellier, France, bringing together a diverse international group of graduate students and professionals from across the globe to learn more about the legal framework and major issues affecting the peaceful uses of nuclear energy. Organised by the NEA and the University of Montpellier, the ISNL is a unique academic programme that offers participants from the academic, private and governmental sectors an in-depth look at international nuclear law issues affecting the peaceful uses of nuclear energy, focusing on areas such as nuclear safety, environmental law, security, safeguards and nuclear liability. This year's session was attended by 57 participants from 34 countries, including several non‑NEA member countries, many of whom received support to attend the ISNL from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) which also provided several lecturers. The ISNL has attracted since 2001 over 800 participants worldwide from an increasingly diverse range of countries, many of whom are now experts in the nuclear law field.

Committee of the South Australian Parliament visits the NEA
On 31 August 2016, the Honourable Dennis Hood, Chair of the Committee of the South Australian Parliament and Member of the Legislative Council, and representatives from the Committee met with the NEA Deputy Director-General and Chief Nuclear Officer Dr Daniel Iracane and staff to discuss the possible development of nuclear energy-related activities in South Australia, with a main focus on radioactive waste management. Discussions addressed a wide range of associated issues, including safety, economics and international regulatory frameworks. The NEA wishes to thank the Committee for the visit which enabled detailed exchanges of information and ideas.

Ensuring the long-term sustainable supply of medical radioisotopes
The NEA High-level Group on the Security of Supply of Medical Radioisotopes (HLG-MR) met on 19-21 July 2016. During the meeting, participants reviewed market demand and projections for molybdenum-99 (⁹⁹Mo) irradiation and processing capacity for the period 2016-2021. An Association of Isotope Producers and Equipment Suppliers (AIPES) representative also gave a briefing on recent market performance and near-term planning of capacity co‑ordinated by an AIPES Working Group. Participants noted that supply has been reliable, without disruption to health systems, and that capacity is expected to continue to meet demand, although with some periods of risk if there are any unexpected facility outages. Overall, baseline capacity from existing producers has increased and projections remain positive despite the shutdown of the OSIRIS reactor in France and the planned cessation of routine production at the National Research Universal (NRU) reactor in Canada. Information was also provided on new capacity based on technologies that do not require highly enriched uranium, which also contribute to international nuclear non-proliferation efforts. Participating members recognised that more work is needed to fully implement full-cost recovery pricing and to encourage new production infrastructure in order to ensure the long-term sustainable supply of this important medical radioisotope.