Russia’s 11th International Forum Atomexpo, which takes place in the southern city of Sochi on 15–16 April will be dedicated to the contribution advanced nuclear technologies make to the achievement of the UN Sustainable Development Goals. Over the past 10 years, Atomexpo has transformed itself from a Russian nuclear industry event with occasional participation of foreign partners into a global nuclear industry discussion platform. This year, for the first time, the Atomexpo business programme has been compiled by the International Programme Committee, which includes Director General of the OECD Nuclear Energy Agency William D. Magwood, Director General of the World Nuclear Association (WNA) Agneta Rising, Chairman of the World Association of Nuclear Operators (WANO) Jacques Régaldo and former Director General of the OECD Nuclear Energy Agency (NEA) Luis E. Echávarri.
The agenda covers global issues of carbon-free energy, responsible approach to the environment and natural resources, “green” investments and international partnership for sustainable development. Round tables and panel discussions will cover topics such as non-energy application of nuclear and radiation technologies in industry, science, medicine and agriculture, distribution of advanced management decisions, and introduction of digital technologies for the development of urban infrastructure and improvement of living standards. The business programme will also include events on pressing nuclear industry issues organised by the forum’s business partners – the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), NEA, WANO and WNA. The exhibition area will extend to more than 13,000 square metres.
The 10th Atomexpo in 2018 attracted over 4,000 delegates and guests from 68 countries (compared with 65 countries in 2017 and 55 in 2016). The exhibition covered 20,000 square metres (compared with 12,000 square metres in 2017). Over 600 companies took part in the event, and 39 agreements and other documents on cooperation and partnership were signed on the sidelines of the forum, including commercial contracts.
The opening day of the forum will feature the second-ever Atomexpo Awards ceremony - an international professional accolade celebrating outstanding achievements in the nuclear industry. Awards will be presented in five categories:
- Nuclear Technologies for a Better Life, for the best projects in non-energy application of nuclear technologies such as nuclear medicine, security technologies, non-destructive testing, processing technologies, etc;
- Innovations for the Future for the most innovative technological projects in construction, operation and decommissioning of nuclear facilities, and nuclear engineering projects;
- Best Launch for the best projects to launch national nuclear energy programmes;
- Public Communication for the most effective communications projects; and
- Human Capital Development for the best projects aimed at developing human resources for nuclear energy programmes.
Five separate panels of judges will choose a winner in each category. The panels will include global nuclear industry leaders. Applications will be accepted until 15 March. The terms of participation and online applications can be found on the Forum website at http://2019.atomexpo.ru/en/pages/reglament_provedeniya_konkursa
For more information about the forum, see the official website at http://2019.atomexpo.ru/en.
