NEA conducts virtual missions to Canada, Japan, the Russian Federation and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in August 2020

Meeting with NRCan, August 2020.

While the NEA staff have been teleworking since March 2020 due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, video conference technologies have helped the Agency in carrying out its mandate to assist the membership with their needs in the application and exploration of nuclear science and technology. Throughout this period, the work of the NEA committees have continued, software packages from the NEA Data Bank have continued being issued, and 12 webinars were held. The NEA also continues to interact with its member countries and partners via virtual missions.

Meeting with Rosatom Director General Alexey Likhachev and staff, August 2020. 
NEA Director-General William D. Magwood, IV and senior staff undertook a virtual mission to the Russian Federation on 19-20 August 2020 for meetings with various authorities, including Rosatom Global, Rostechnadzor and Rosenergoatom, as well as academic institutions such as the Russian Research Center "Kurchatov Institute" and the National Research Nuclear University MEPhI (Moscow Engineering Physics Institute). Discussions with Rosatom Director General Alexey Likhachev and staff were focused on Russian participation in NEA activities in nuclear safety, nuclear science, nuclear data, radiological protection, radioactive waste management and decommissioning. The dialogues also covered Rosatom's approach to human resource development and Rosatom initiatives for improving gender balance in the nuclear sector. Mr Magwood and Mr Likhachev agreed on the importance of nuclear skills and capacity development and look forward to strengthening the ongoing co-operation on NEA initiatives such as the Nuclear Education, Skills & Technology (NEST) Framework and International Mentoring Workshops in Science and Engineering.
 
Virtual mission to the UAE, August 2020 
The NEA delegation visited the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on 17-18 August 2020 for a series of meetings with the Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure, the Federal Authority for Nuclear Regulation (FANR), the Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation (ENEC) and Khalifa University. Discussions with the Emirati authorities covered a wide range of issues, including the current status of the Barakah nuclear power plant, nuclear skills & capacity building, the decarbonisation of electricity systems and updates on the UAE regulatory framework. The discussions also touched on the role of nuclear energy during COVID-19 and beyond, as well as the impact of the pandemic on regulatory decisions and practices. Director-General Magwood also participated in a virtual youth session with young nuclear professionals in the UAE to share his insights on nuclear energy and experience in the sector. The NEA wishes to thank the UAE authorities for hosting the virtual mission, which enabled detailed exchanges of information and ideas on nuclear energy issues, education and research.
 
Meeting with NRCan, August 2020.  
During the last week of August, the NEA delegation undertook a five-day virtual mission to Canada to meet with various institutions in the government, private sector and academia, including Natural Resources Canada (NRCan), the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC), Atomic Energy of Canada Limited (AECL), the Organization of Canadian Nuclear Industries (OCNI), the Nuclear Waste Management Organization (NWMO) and the University Network of Excellence in Nuclear Engineering (UNENE). Canada has a full-spectrum industry and nuclear energy is an important component of the country's electricity supply. In 2018, NRCan initiated a stakeholder-driven process to develop a Canadian roadmap for the potential development and deployment of SMRs in Canada, bringing together provincial and territorial governments, utilities, industry and other interested stakeholders. As such, meetings with the Canadian authorities highlighted SMR technologies. Discussions also covered nuclear safety, education and engagement with Indigenous communities. The virtual visit to Canada provided an excellent opportunity to exchange views on nuclear power, as well as on how to continue strengthening the NEA's engagement with Canadian entities.
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