China has hosted the first expert session of the BRICS Atomic Energy Platform association. A session on Key factors affecting the development of atomic energy brought together representatives of government agencies and specialised organizations from the BRICS countries and partner countries, including China, Russia, Brazil, South Africa, Iran and others, as well as representatives of the ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) Energy Centre and the World Nuclear Association (WNA).
The discussion centred on new approaches to the efficient allocation of nuclear energy resources, current industry trends and prospects for cooperation between participating countries for balanced global development and energy security. Welcome remarks were made by the main coordinator of the Platform, Elzi Pule (South Africa) and the President of the Brazilian Association for the Development of Nuclear Activities (ABDAN – Associação Brasileira para Desenvolvimento de Atividades Nucleares), Celso Kunya.
“Young experts in the nuclear industry need the help of experienced experts from advanced technology countries. The session provided an opportunity for representatives of the BRICS nuclear organisations to establish cooperation for the implementation of joint projects.” noted Chen Xin, Deputy Director of the Department of Uranium Resources at China’s State Nuclear Uranium Resources Development Company.
“The session once again confirmed the presence of a large and so far undisclosed potential for joint work of BRICS organisations and partners. We will continue to move forward …. Preparations for the next expert session have already been launched.” said Artyom Goncharuk, CEO of Russia’s Rosatom East Asia. The next session will be held on 21 May in Brazil on the sidelines of the Nuclear Trade & Technology Exchange (NT2E) exhibition and conference.
The BRICS Atomic Energy Platform was created to strengthen cooperation at the corporate level, aimed at promoting nuclear energy as a source of clean electricity and advanced technologies for non-energy applications. In 2024, two summits were held, in which companies, organisations and government agencies from nine countries took part.
A non-binding statement supporting creation of the Platform was signed by participants from companies and government agencies from the BRICS member countries and partners including Rosatom (Russia); China National Nuclear Corporation; the South African Atomic Energy Corporation (Necsa) and Eskom (South Africa); the Nuclear Power Production & Development Company of Iran; ABDAN and the Brazilian Association of Nuclear Energy (ABEN – Associação Brasileira de Energia). During 2025, it is planned to hold special events at the expert level at major industry sites.
BRICS, formed in 2009 now comprising ten countries – Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, Egypt, Ethiopia, Indonesia, Iran and the United Arab Emirates. ASEAN formed in 1967 has 10 member states – Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam.
