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Welcome to The International Framework for Nuclear Energy Cooperation

IFNEC FINANCE WORKSHOP

On May 9-10, 2012, the International Framework for Nuclear Energy Cooperation (IFNEC) will hold a finance workshop at the Lancaster House in London, England. The Workshop is intended to provide a forum where experts representing the full spectrum of key stakeholders involved in financing nuclear energy projects can meet in order to collectively gain a better understanding of each other’s roles and approaches to nuclear energy financing. These include the individual challenges and opportunities currently facing stakeholders along with those collective and practical actions that could be taken by IFNEC to address identified barriers and opportunities. Expert Panelists representing a range of stakeholders will participate in one of two scenario-based exercises during the conference. The concept behind the scenarios is to evaluate a hypothetical project proposal in a hypothetical country (one scenario will focus on an existing civil nuclear market and another on an emerging civil nuclear market) The goal is to bring the proposed project to bankability, and in the process, gain better insights in the role of each of the key stakeholders involved in financing and to identify the key challenges and opportunities that they face in each market. Following each of the two scenarios, panelists and Workshop participants will be divided into breakout sessions to discuss lessons learned with respect to financing challenges and opportunities, delve into greater detail on a specific issue or challenge related to financing and identify a notional list of actions that IFNEC countries can take, individually or collectively, related to financing. The breakout session findings will then be reported to the broader Plenary during the Workshop. The Workshop findings will be used as input to proposed recommendations for the IFNEC Steering Group to consider. The IFNEC Steering Group is expected to present its recommendations to the Executive Committee during its 2012 Ministerial meeting in Marrakech, Morocco.

THE INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT WORKING GROUP (IDWG) OF THE INTERNATIONAL FRAMEWORK FOR NUCLEAR ENERGY COOPERATION HELD A MEETING AND JOINT WORKSHOP WITH THE IAEA ON OCTOBER 31 AND NOVEMBER 1, 2011

The IFNEC Infrastructure Development Working Group (IDWG) held a working group meeting on October 31 and a workshop with the participation of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) on November 1, 2011, in Vienna, Austria. Representatives from IFNEC participant and observer countries, and the International Atomic Energy Agency, research institutions, business and academia attended the meeting and the workshop. Topics discussed during the meeting included various countries’ responses to the Fukushima incident, IAEA assistance and involvement in infrastructure development, human resource development, radioactive waste management and stakeholder communications and outreach. The workshop addressed emergency preparedness and response in depth, highlighting the fact that an effective emergency management program needs to be a top priority in any country currently using nuclear power or considering the development of nuclear power.

For questions, please contact: Lauren Joyce,lauren.joyce@hq.doe.gov or 202-586-7488.  

KENYA BECOMES A FULL IFNEC PARTICIPANT

In October 2011, Kenya reviewed and endorsed the International Framework for Nuclear Energy Cooperation’s Statement of Mission. Kenya is now the thirty-first country to become a Participant in the International Framework.

For the full list of IFNEC Participants and Observers, please click here.

For more information on the International Framework for Nuclear Energy Cooperation, please contact us here.

POLAND HOSTS AND CHAIRS IFNEC EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MINISTERIAL-LEVEL MEETING IN WARSAW ON SEPTEMBER 29, 2011

The International Framework for Nuclear Energy Cooperation (IFNEC) held its second annual Executive Committee Ministerial Meeting in Warsaw, Poland on September 29, 2011. On behalf of the Government of Poland as the Host, the Government Commissioner for Nuclear Power and Undersecretary of State at the Ministry of Economy, Hanna Trojanowska, chaired the meeting, and Polish Deputy Prime Minister Waldemar Pawlak provided opening remarks. During this meeting, IFNEC officially expanded to 61 Participant and Observer countries based on the United Arab Emirates joining as a full Participant member country and the Philippines and Qatar joining as Observers. In addition, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), the European Atomic Energy Community (Euratom), and the Generation IV International Forum (GIF) participated in the Warsaw meeting as permanent IFNEC Observer organizations.

During the meeting, special guest speaker Bill Gates provided keynote remarks via video on challenges and opportunities associated with nuclear energy, including the key role of the private sector in partnership with governments.  Mr. Gates' remarks may be viewed below (please click "Allow Blocked Content" from the toolbar if prompted with a security warning).  Mr. Jim Asselstine, Managing Director of Barclays Capital, discussed issues relating to the financing of nuclear power projects, including key elements of project finance structure, challenges and/or risks of new nuclear power plant investment, possible tools for mitigating financing risk, and the role that IFNEC could play in this area. The Executive Committee received status reports from the Chair of the IFNEC Steering Group, Ed McGinnis, the Co-chairs of the Infrastructure Development Working Group Dr. Al Burkart and Mr. John Mathieson, and the Co-Chairs of the Reliable Nuclear Fuel Services Working Group, Mr. Yves Koluzny and Mr. Kazuhiro Suzuki. The working groups reported that significant progress had been made in the past year, a joint working group meeting was held to explore cooperation in infrastructure relating to nuclear fuel services, and that engagement with industry, universities and other external entities is progressing well. It was also reported by the co-chairs that the next Reliable Nuclear Fuel Services Working Group meeting would be hosted by Bulgaria in the city of Kozloduy November 8 – 9, 2011, and that the Infrastructure Development Working Group would hold its next meeting in Vienna, Austria, October 31 – November 1, 2011.

At the conclusion of the meeting, a Joint Statement was issued by the Executive Committee that described progress made in the last year by the expert-based working groups, issues discussed during the Executive Committee, such as nuclear safety, financing, Comprehensive Fuel Services, and infrastructure development, and actions to be taken over the next year including holding an expert-based meeting on financing amongst various stakeholders. At the conclusion of the meeting, it was also announced that Morocco would host and chair the 2012 Executive Committee Meeting.

WARSAW TO HOST AND CHAIR THE SEPTEMBER 29, 2011, EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE AND STEERING GROUP MEETINGS (updated September 10, 2011)

Poland will host and chair the next Executive Committee meeting of the International Framework for Nuclear Energy Cooperation (IFNEC) on September 29, 2011, in Warsaw.  Sixty-two nations and three inter-governmental organizations, including 29 full member countries, 30 observer countries and three newly-invited countries, have been invited to attend the Ministerial.  The event will focus on the importance of nuclear safety, financing for nuclear power projects, approaches to comprehensive nuclear fuel services and ways to support the development of nuclear energy infrastructure globally, such as workforce training and expert-based information sharing.

Special guest speaker Bill Gates will provide keynote video remarks.  He isexpected to discuss the challenges and opportunities associated with nuclear energy, including the key role of private sector innovation in partnership with governments. Guest speaker Jim Asselstine of Barclays Capital is also confirmed to speak during the afternoon’s session on financing.  He is expected to discuss the current status of the investment banking sector as well as challenges and opportunities with respect to the financing of nuclear power projects.  A Steering Group will also be held the day prior, on Wednesday, September 28, 2011.  For more information, please contact Ms. Lauren Joyce at lauren.joyce@hq.doe.gov or 202-586-7488.  

IFNEC STEERING GROUP MEETING

On May 18-19, 2011, the International Framework for Nuclear Energy Cooperation (IFNEC) held its bi-annual Steering Group meeting in Jeju Island, Republic of Korea. A technical tour followed the conclusion of the Steering Group meeting on May 20th at Doosan Heavy Industries in Busan. Fourteen member countries, two international non-governmental observers and four observer countries were in attendance at the meeting.

During the meeting, participants reviewed summary reports from the IFNEC Working Groups on Infrastructure Development and Reliable Nuclear Fuel Services on their recent activities, including a joint meeting between the Working Groups held in April in Paris, France. The focus of the joint meeting was to examine further the issue of comprehensive nuclear fuel services and approaches relevant to international cooperation, including in the area of infrastructure development. The Steering Group provided direction to the Working Groups on future areas of activity, including resources requirements and fuel supply, approaches for selecting back-end fuel cycle options, comprehensive fuel services, human resource development, radioactive waste management, and small modular reactors. Both Working Groups will continue to engage with industry and other external entities.

In addition, it was agreed that IFNEC will continue to emphasize the importance of safety and security following the nuclear accident at Fukushima. IFNEC provides a forum for exchange of information and lessons learned between government, inter-governmental and non-governmental stakeholders focused on nuclear energy, and the commercial nuclear energy sector in the variety of activities necessary to support the safe and responsible use of nuclear energy.

For questions, please contact: Lauren Joyce; lauren.joyce@nuclear.energy.gov

THE INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT AND RELIABLE NUCLEAR FUEL SERVICES WORKING GROUPS OF THE INTERNATIONAL FRAMEWORK FOR NUCLEAR ENERGY COOPERATION (IFNEC) WILL MEETING ON APRIL 19-20, 2011, IN PARIS, FRANCE

The IFNEC Infrastructure Development Working Group (IDWG) and Reliable Nuclear Fuel Services Working Group (RNFS) are scheduled to hold both separate and joint meetings on April 19-20, in Paris, France. Representatives from IFNEC participant and observer countries, and the International Atomic Energy Agency, research institutions, business and academia are scheduled to attend. Topics to be addressed include: an reliable nuclear fuel services, a review of sub-working group activities, human resource development and insights gained through infrastructure readiness assessments.

For questions, please contact: Lauren Joyce; lauren.joyce@nuclear.energy.gov

ARGENTINA BECOMES A FULL IFNEC PARTICIPANT

In January 2011, Argentina reviewed and endorsed the International Framework for Nuclear Energy Cooperation’s Statement of Mission. Argentina is now the twenty-ninth country to become a Participant in the International Framework.
For the full list of IFNEC Participants and Observers, please click here.
For more information on the International Framework for Nuclear Energy Cooperation, please contact us here.

THE INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT WORKING GROUP (IDWG) OF THE INTERNATIONAL FRAMEWORK FOR NUCLEAR ENERGY COOPERATION HELD ITS SEVENTH MEETING ON DECEMBER 6-7, 2010, IN ROME, ITALY

The IFNEC Infrastructure Development Working Group (IDWG) held its seventh meeting on December 6, 2010, followed by a Resources and Gaps Workshop on human resource development on December 7. Approximately 90 representatives from IFNEC participant and observer countries, the International Atomic Energy Agency, the Generation IV International forum, international organizations, research institutions, business and academia attended the meeting and workshop.

At the IDWG meeting, participants shared views and discussed priorities and activities the IDWG is undertaking in several areas. The IDWG’s Subgroup on Radioactive Waste Management presented reviews of regional approaches, national strategies, current R&D programs, and results of a recent study on radioactive waste transportation. In the area of small modular reactors (SMRs), participants presented on the status of SMR designs and SMR deployment as well as analyses of the economic competitiveness of SMRs. In addition, participants discussed ways the IDWG could address infrastructure requirements for nuclear fuel services. Finally, participants heard updates on current national and international infrastructure development efforts, including new activities undertaken by the IAEA.

During the Resources and Gaps Workshop on human resource development, panels provided valuable information on lessons learned from recent initiatives being undertaken by IFNEC Participant countries and industry and IAEA efforts to build human resource capacity. The workshop also featured several examples of university exchange programs that are available to countries developing or expanding nuclear energy programs along with efforts to recruit and train the next generation of nuclear energy industry personnel. The panels featured speakers from government, the nuclear industry, international organizations, non-governmental institutions and academia.

The objective of the IDWG is to facilitate the development of the infrastructure needed for the use of clean, sustainable, nuclear energy worldwide in a safe and secure manner, while at the same time reducing the risk of nuclear proliferation.

THE NETHERLANDS BECOME A FULL IFNEC PARTICIPANT

In November 2010, the Netherlands reviewed and endorsed the International Framework for Nuclear Energy Cooperation’s Statement of Mission. The Netherlands is now the twenty-eighth country to become a Participant in the International Framework.

For more information on the Statement of Mission, please click here.

For more information on the International Framework for Nuclear Energy Cooperation, please contact us here.

JORDAN HOSTS AND CHAIRS IFNEC EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MINISTERIAL-LEVEL MEETING AT DEAD SEA ON NOVEMBER 4, 2010

The International Framework for Nuclear Energy Cooperation (IFNEC) held its first Executive Committee Ministerial Meeting since its transformation from the Global Nuclear Energy Partnership (GNEP) on the shores of the Dead Sea on November 4, 2010. The meeting was hosted by IFNEC Participant Jordan and chaired by Dr. Khaled Toukan, Chairman of the Jordan Atomic Energy Commission.

Forty-four countries attended the meeting along with two IFNEC observer organizations, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and the Generation IV International Forum. The partners welcomed three new countries as IFNEC observers: Singapore, Indonesia and Chile.

During the meeting, the Executive Committee received status reports from the Chairs of the IFNEC Steering Group and the Infrastructure Development and Reliable Nuclear Fuel Services Working Groups. The working groups have made significant progress in the past year and have expanded their engagement with industry, universities and other external entities while continuing to coordinate closely with the IAEA.

The Steering Group reported on the transformation of the former GNEP into the International Framework for Nuclear Energy Cooperation, as well as the adoption of a new, broader and more inclusive Statement of Mission.  The Chairman of the Steering Group discussed the development of a revised Action Plan to reflect the new priorities of IFNEC and the ongoing efforts of the two IFNEC Working Groups to address the 2009 Executive Committee’s instruction to investigate cradle-to-grave nuclear fuel management, including workshops and a joint-Working Group meeting to be held in the spring of 2011.

The Infrastructure Development Working Group (IDWG) reported on its progress analyzing global human resource development, radioactive waste management, small and medium reactor technology, support for participant countries, interaction with specialist organizations, enhancements to the now IFNEC-wide Online Resource Library, and analyzing Infrastructure Needs for an International Nuclear Fuel Services Framework.  In addition, the IDWG reported on its recent workshops on Financing, Safety and Regulatory Agency Engagement, and Infrastructure Requirements for a Fuel Service Framework, and announced to the Executive Committee its new co-chairs from the United States and United Kingdom.

The Reliable Nuclear Fuel Services Working Group reported on the work of its sub-working groups on Approaches for the Selection of Back-end Fuel Cycle Options, on Compiling Lessons Learned and Resource Requirements, and on Assurances a Country Should Seek as Sufficient for Nuclear Fuel Supply.  It also reported on its recent workshops on the Role of Nuclear Industry in Assurance of Nuclear Fuel Cycle Services and on the Cradle-to-Grave concept, and announced to the Executive Committee its new co-chairs from France and Japan.

At the conclusion of the meeting, the IFNEC partner countries issued a Joint Statement that affirmed the Executive Committee’s support for the further development of multilateral commercially-based fuel cycle mechanisms and the development of infrastructure in countries employing the civilian use of nuclear power through the sharing information.  The Joint Statement also highlighted the Executive Committee’s recognition of the importance of assurances of fuel supply and a comprehensive and responsible used nuclear fuel management, the important role of nuclear energy in addressing climate change, and the value of sharing the findings of the IFNEC Working Groups.  Lastly, the Joint Statement underscored nuclear energy’s competitive potential but recognized that multilateral development banks could have a role in addressing uncertainty in financing nuclear power-related projects.

KUWAIT AND GERMANY BECOME FULL IFNEC PARTICIPANTS

In August 2010, Kuwait and Germany have reviewed and endorsed the International Framework for Nuclear Energy Cooperation’s Statement of Mission.  Kuwait and Germany’s endorsement has made them the twenty-sixth and twenty-seventh countries, respectively, to become Participants in the International Framework, and the first two countries to do so since the organization’s transformation into a broader and more inclusive structure guided by the Statement of Mission adopted at the June 2010 Steering Group meeting in Ghana.
The International Framework for Nuclear Energy Cooperation will hold its next ministerial-level Executive Committee meeting on November 4, 2010 in Jordan. Over 50 countries and international organizations have been invited.

For more information on the Statement of Mission, please click here.

For more information on the International Framework for Nuclear Energy Cooperation, please contact us here.

Global Nuclear Energy Partnership Transformed to the International Framework for Nuclear Energy Cooperation

The Global Nuclear Energy Partnership met in Accra, Ghana on June 16-17, 2010 and approved several transformative changes to reflect global developments that have occurred since the Partnership was established in 2007. The transformation includes a new name –the International Framework for Nuclear Energy Cooperation and the establishment of a new Statement of Mission. Participants in this new International Framework agreed that this transformation was necessary to provide a broader scope with wider international participation to more effectively explore the most important issues underlying the use and expansion of nuclear energy worldwide.

The Statement of Mission reads as follows: “The International Framework for Nuclear Energy Cooperation provides a forum for cooperation among participating states to explore mutually beneficial approaches to ensure the use of nuclear energy for peaceful purposes proceeds in a manner that is efficient and meets the highest standards of safety, security and non-proliferation. Participating states would not give up any rights and voluntarily engage to share the effort and gain the benefits of economical, peaceful nuclear energy.” Endorsement of the Statement of Mission is the sole action required of states, upon receipt of a consensus-based invitation by the Participants, to participate in future partnership activities.

The Steering Group addressed follow-up actions to the International Framework’s Executive Committee Meeting that occurred in Beijing on October 23, 2009, including ways to further enhance its activities, such as assurances of fuel supply and cradle-to-grave nuclear fuel management that could serve as one important element of the International Framework. Jordan formally announced that it will host the next meeting of the International Framework’s Executive Committee in the fall of 2010.

The International Framework’s expert-based working groups on infrastructure development and reliable nuclear fuel services provided reports on progress made to date as well as planned near-term activities. The Reliable Nuclear Fuel Services Working Group outgoing Chair from the United States reported on work regarding approaches for selecting back-end fuel cycle options, lessons learned and resource requirements, and introduced the incoming Chair from France. The Infrastructure Development Working Group, currently co-chaired by the United Kingdom and the United States, reported on its progress regarding human resource development, effective radioactive management strategies, small modular reactors, financing options, engagement with specialist organizations and identifying infrastructure requirements for an international nuclear fuel services framework.

This was the International Framework’s first meeting in Africa, and included representatives from the following countries and organizations: Algeria, Argentina, Australia, Bulgaria, Canada, China, Czech Republic, Egypt, France, Germany, Ghana, Italy, Japan, Jordan, Republic of Korea, Morocco, Netherlands, Nigeria, Romania, Russian Federation, Senegal, Slovak Republic, Spain, Ukraine, United Kingdom, United States, the Generation IV International Forum and the International Atomic Energy Agency.

 

About the International Framework

The International Framework for Nuclear Energy Cooperation (IFNEC) is a forum of those States that share the common vision of the necessity of the safe use of nuclear energy for peaceful purposes worldwide in a safe and secure manner.

The cooperation will be carried out under existing and, where appropriate, new bilateral arrangements as well as existing multilateral arrangements such as the Generation IV international Forum.

Today the International Framework consists of thirty-one (31) participants, three (3) permanent international observers; and 30 observer countries. The participants are: Argentina, Armenia, Australia, Bulgaria, Canada, China, Estonia, France, Germany, Ghana, Hungary, Italy, Japan, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kuwait, Republic of Korea, Lithuania, Morocco, the Netherlands, Oman, Poland, Romania, the Russian Federation, Senegal, Slovenia,UAE, Ukraine, United Kingdom and the United States. The three permanent international nongovernment observers are: the International Atomic Agency, the Generation IV International Forum and Euratom.

The Statement of Mission is the policy basis for the International Framework. A country can become a participant by receiving an invitation from the existing participants and by endorsing the IFNEC Statement of Mission. Invited countries may attend meetings as observers to better understand the International Framework before a decision to join is made. International nongovernment organizations may serve as observers at the invitation of the participants.

The International Framework consists of a three-tiered organization. It receives its high-level direction from the IFNEC Executive Committee comprised of Ministerial-level officials. The Steering Group, whose members are designated by the Executive Committee, carries out actions on behalf of IFNEC at the direction of the Executive Committee. At a September 2007 meeting of the Executive Committee, two working groups were established to address matters concerning reliable nuclear fuel services and infrastructure development.