The 12^th ATOMEXPO 2022 International Forum took place at the Sirius Centre in Sochi on 21–22 November.

The forum was attended by more than 3,000 specialists and guests from Russia as well as 65 other countries, including representatives of business, government agencies, and international organizations.

The forum was held under the motto ‘Atomic Spring: Creating a Sustainable Future’. The plenary session on the first day focused primarily on prospects for the development of global nuclear energy. The discussion was attended by Rosatom State Corporation Director General Alexey Likhachev, Hungarian Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Peter Szijjarto, Director General of Brazil’s ENBPar Corporation Ney Zanella dos Santos, Belarusian Minister of Energy Viktor Karankevich, Turkish Deputy Minister of Energy and Natural Resources Alparslan Bayraktar, and Bangladesh Minister of Science and Technology Yeafesh Osman.

During the plenary session, the participants considered opportunities and scenarios for the development of nuclear energy in the crisis that is currently unfolding throughout the world due to sharp increases in the cost of hydrocarbon fuel, the instability of supplies, and the destruction of logistics and technological chains. The plenary session participants agreed that, under these conditions, peaceful nuclear development could play a key role in solving the current problems that numerous countries face and become a driver for the development of their economies for decades to come.

The plenary session on the second day was devoted to the use of low-power nuclear power plants (LNPPs). The meeting was attended by: IAEA Deputy Director General Mikhail Chudakov, Rosatom First Deputy Director General and Director of the International Business Development Unit Kirill Komarov, Myanmar Minister of Electric Power Thaung Han, Kyrgyz Minister of Energy Taalaibek Ibraev, Chukotka Autonomous District Governor Roman Kopin, and others. They noted that modular ground-based LNPPs will be built in Russia in the foreseeable future.

It was noted that Rosatom will replicate low-power NPP projects in Russia and offer them to foreign customers, which could include territories that are far from centralized energy supplies, island states, countries with low demand for electricity, or large industrial facilities. Rosatom has the potential to launch the serial construction of such plants. Komarov noted that the fuel component in the cost of a kilowatt at small NPPs does not exceed 3–5 percent, so prices are predictable for decades to come

The participants in the forum’s business programme also discussed ways to finance the transition to green energy. During the events, they spoke about the rapid development of renewable energy sources and their higher share in the energy balance of several countries, taking into account the fight against climate change, the risks of stagnation, and the ability to avoid an energy crisis.

Another important discussion topic at the forum was the electrification of transport. In Kaliningrad, Rosatom is building a gigafactory to produce lithium-ion batteries, which will be launched in mid-2025. It should be able to store 50,000 electric vehicles per year. Three more similar factories with the same capacity are also in the pipeline. The first factory’s future products have already been distributed among potential consumers.

Over the two days of the forum, roughly 50 agreements concerning various businesses were signed. Multiple agreements were concluded with Russia’s foreign partners. For example, Rosatom and the Republic of Burundi signed a roadmap on cooperation in assessing the prospects for nuclear generation in this country. A similar document was signed with Nicaragua. A memorandum with Zimbabwe concerns the education and training of personnel in this country’s nuclear energy sector.

Several agreements were also signed with Belarus, specifically about the supply of Russian medical equipment for cancer treatment. Rosatom will also cooperate with Uzbekistan in the medical industry, for example, by developing technologies to obtain radionuclides for nuclear medicine. An agreement was also signed on the development of technical specifications to substantiate the construction of a low-power NPP in Kyrgyzstan.

Rosatom’s Director General Likhachev noted that newcomers to the ‘nuclear club’ that want to rely on low-carbon sources will be the main points of growth for the nuclear energy industry over the next 20–30 years.

Department of Communications of Rosatom State Corporation

On 21 November 2022, participants in the XII International ATOMEXPO 2022 Forum discussed the prospects and challenges for development of the ocean economy at a round table on Blue Economy: Government, Business and Science for a Sustainable Future. Rusatom Cargo, ROSATOM’s logistics integrator, hosted the event.
Experts from India, Egypt, UAE and Russia said the blue economy was an economy of the future. They emphasized its global and cross-border nature and the unique opportunity to become a platform for cooperation between governments, businesses and academia.
Blue economy includes traditional and emerging sectors: shipping, port infrastructure, shipbuilding and maintenance, marine engineering and dredging operations, shelf gas and oil production, marine R&D and education, fisheries and seafood processing, etc.
Natalia Stapran, Director of the Department for Multilateral Economic Cooperation and Special Projects at the Ministry for Economic Development of the Russian Federation, and Nikolay Shabalin, Executive Director of the Moscow State University Marine Research Centre, spoke about international cooperation on blue economy, environmental management of marine areas, funding and digital aspects of aquatic projects.
Mohamed Ahmed Said, Professor of Physical Oceanography at the National Institute of Oceanography and Fisheries (Egypt), shared Egypt and other African countries’ experience, highlighting vital aspects of blue economy development: “The balance between economic development and the sustainability of marine ecosystems is very important to encourage the capital to investment in blue economy areas such as sustainability fisheries, aquaculture, offshore renewable and maritime transport. It is important to secure financial support to developing nations for building national and regional capacities for a more ecological oriented approach to marine resources management practices”.
Rudra Prasad Pradhan, Associate Professor at the Department of Humanities and Social Sciences at the Birla Institute of Technology and Science, shed light on India’s experience. “Indian Ocean is spread over 70 million sq.km. Sea space connecting with 40 countries, major oil supply and trade lane. Sitting right in the middle of the Indian Ocean, India looks at seas and oceans as a critical maritime platform for showing experience and collective economic growth. In Hindi, the word “ocean” is “sagar,”. Prime Minister Modi defines “sagar” as Security and Growth for all”.
Raj Jit Singh Wallia, DP World's Deputy Chief Financial Officer, offered further insight into the global experience: “One of DP World's priorities is to play a key role when it comes to safeguarding ocean health, preventing pollution and protecting biodiversity by contributing to the Blue Economy”.
“Blue economy is a matter of great importance to ROSATOM, specifically with respect to development of the Arctic. It is imperative to find a balance between maximizing economic benefits and preserving the region’s biological environment. We will also have to identify mechanisms for bringing together academia, government and business to formulate a model for sustainable economic development of the Arctic and other maritime spaces”, said Ekaterina Lyakhova, Rosatom’s Director for Business Development.
For reference:
The assets of the global ocean are valued at $25 trillion. The blue economy supports the lives of more than 3 million people and is, in virtual terms, the 7^th largest economy in the world, growing annually and projected to reach $3 trillion as early as 2030.
To ensure sustainable development of the Northern Sea Route, the Moscow State University’s Marine Research Centre, assisted by Rosatom, has launched a pilot research programme for environmental monitoring of the NSR, which relies on Russian and international expertise and best practices in environmental research and preservation.
Rusatom Cargo is a logistics integrator of ROSATOM. The company is now working on the Eurasian Container Transit project for creating a maritime transit container traffic service between Europe and Asia via the Northern Sea Route (NSR).

Press Office of Rusatom Cargo

On November 22, 2022, a round table on the topic: "Improving interaction with international Alumni: new formats and solutions" was held at the XII International Forum ATOMEXPO-2022 with the support of ROSATOM and Peoples' Friendship University of Russia.
The round table was attended by representatives of Alumni Associations of Russian/Soviet universities in foreign countries, embassies and consulates, "INCORVUZ XXI", organizations of Rosatom State Corporation, Rosatom partner universities, as well as foreign graduates and students. In particular, the speakers of the round table were Pavel Shevtsov, Deputy Head of Rossotrudnichestvo; Maria Luisa Ramos Urzagaste, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Plurinational State of Bolivia to the Russian Federation; Mohamed Elsergani, Cultural Attache of the Embassy of the Arab Republic of Egypt; Vadim Titov, President of Rusatom – International Network; Gabriel Aniset Kochofa, Chairman of INCORVUZ XXI, and others.
During the session, the participants discussed the key challenges faced by the university–Graduate –Industry partnership.
Vadim Titov, President of Rusatom International Network, said: "Taking into account the active development of Rosatom international business, the number of the Russian universities international Alumni will be growing year by year.… The alumni community is an important tool for maintaining international relations, we are interested in building mutually beneficial cooperation".
The Ambassador of the Plurinational State of Bolivia Luisa Ramos Urzagaste highly appreciates the role of Russia in the development of the Bolivian nuclear industry and human resources development: "Bolivia entered the era of nuclear technology hand in hand with Russia" and stressed the importance of studying the Russian language and culture.
Leosh Tomichek, a graduate of Moscow Power Engineering Institute (MPEI), Deputy Director General - Technical Director of Rusatom Energy Projects, mentioned: "I am proud that I received higher education in the Soviet Union and that today in Russia there are over 20 universities that teach student in nuclear fields and support in training personnel for other countries."
Vice-Rector for International Cooperation of St. Petersburg State University Sergey Andryushin once again emphasized that it is necessary to create an entire ecosystem of mutually beneficial cooperation between universities and alumni, where universities and graduates enrich each other, and alma mater is a resource for the continuous development of graduates.
The results of this round table will be reflected in a set of recommendations for the reference Rosatom partner universities for the development of Alumni communities.
For reference:
Today, the export of education is an effective instrument that contributes to increasing competitiveness in the global markets of technologies. It is technology that plays a key role in improving the quality of life and supports sustainable socio-economic development. The partnership of industrial enterprises and universities in training engineering specialists is one of the priorities today. Moreover, the development of interaction with foreign Alumni who have graduated from the Russian universities in the field of nuclear and related technologies contributes not only to the popularization of the Russian education, improving its quality, attracting talented young people, but also to increasing interest and trust in nuclear "clean" technologies as an integral component of creating and "promoting" a sustainable future and development national economy.

Communictions Department of ROSATOM

On November 22, 2022, within the framework of the XII International Forum ATOMEXPO 2022 in Sochi, a round table discussion was held on the topic "Harmonization of the Licensing Process: Utopia or Reality". It was organized by Rostechnadzor and JSC Rusatom Service as the industry coordinating center for ROSATOM nuclear infrastructure activities and Secretary of the Governing Council of Interagency Project between Rostechnadzor and ROSATOM.

The speakers of the event were Deputy Chairman of the State Committee for Industrial Safety of the Republic of Uzbekistan Dr. Ibragim Tashkentbayev, Director of Moscow Center of World Association of Nuclear Operators Dr. Vasiliy Aksenov, President of Nuclear Regulatory Authority of the Republic of Türkiye Dr. Zafer Demircan, Vice-President of the Hungarian Atomic Energy Authority Mr. László Juhász, Chairman of the Egyptian Nuclear and Radiological Safety Regulatory Authority Dr. Samy Shaaban Ata-Allah Soliman, Chairman of the Bangladesh Atomic Energy Regulatory Authority Dr. Muzammel Haque, Deputy Chairman of Rostechnadzor A.V. Ferapontov, Deputy Director for Nuclear Infrastructure of Rusatom Service JSC Dr. Yulia Chernyakhovskaya. The discussion was moderated by Dr. Olga Lugovskaya, Head of the Department for Nuclear and Radiation Safety of the Ministry for Emergency Situations of the Republic of Belarus.

Within the framework of the round table, the speakers discussed key issues of developing a national regulatory system for safe use of nuclear energy and licensing process as an integral part of nuclear infrastructure development in general and of a nuclear project implementation. In particular, aspects of the licensing process that encourage the international community to develop new initiatives to harmonize the licensing process and requirements, both from the perspective of operating organizations and regulators, were highlighted.

Opening the round table, Dr. Olga Lugovskaya noted: "One of the priorities for establishing a regulatory infrastructure according to IAEA requirements in a country that has decided to implement its first nuclear power programme is the development of safety requirements. Undoubtedly, a newcomer country relies on the experience and documents of the supplying country in this area. It is necessary to build an effective dialogue between representatives of regulatory authorities, operating organizations, and vendors of nuclear technology”.

Regulatory authorities’ representatives discussed the use of international IAEA safety standards and the requirements of the Association of West European Regulatory Authorities WENRA during the formation of the national regulatory framework and licensing of NPP construction projects. The speakers stressed the importance of building a requirements management system based on international recommendations to simplify the licensing process.

In turn, Director of the WANO Moscow Center Dr. Vasiliy Aksenov outlined the problematic issues facing operating organizations: “In NPP projects, it is important to take into account international operating experience and best practices, approaches of WANO as an aggregator of world practical experience in the safe operation of NPPs. Our experience shows the necessity and expediency of implementing projects for the construction and commissioning of power units exactly according to the norms and rules that were in force at the time of licenses issuance for construction and commissioning, regardless of subsequent changes in requirements of the national legislation. All subsequent changes to bring them in line with the new requirements should be made after the power unit goes into commercial operation. Otherwise, significant uncertainty arises on the part of investors, the customer and the contractor with regards to the projects’ schedule and financing.”
"An open dialogue on lessons learned and best practices in the development of the regulatory framework, educational system, regulatory body, operating organization, involved authorities, financing instruments - all this will help countries to optimally pursue their path in the world of nuclear technology,” added Yulia Chernyakhovskaya.

Aleksey Ferapontov, Deputy Chairman of the Federal Environmental, Industrial and Nuclear Supervision Service of Russia (Rostechnadzor) shared his experience as a representative of a regulator of the technology vendor: “Today, effective initiatives are being implemented on international platforms aimed at assisting countries in developing a regulatory framework and developing requirements for nuclear technologies. One of them is Multinational Design Evaluation Programme (MDEP) in the framework of the OECD Nuclear Energy Agency. This programme could be the basis for development of a working group for RITM-200."

The event became an effective platform for sharing experience in the creation and development of safety regulatory infrastructure in the use of nuclear energy, preparation of licensing documentation and licensing of new large and small capacity NPP projects.

For reference:

Rusatom Service JSC is a member of the Electric Power division of Rosatom State Corporation. The company provides services to energy facilities in various sectors of the energy industry. The company operates in almost every country with operating VVER NPP outside Russia.

The geography of Rusatom Service JSC projects covers more than 15 countries around the world: from Europe to Asia. The references of Rusatom Service JSC include comprehensive projects for life extension, maintenance and repair, supply of equipment and spares, nuclear infrastructure, advisory services and training.

As part of the Robotics business line, the company offers services for the design and manufacture of robotic systems and other non-standard equipment for nuclear industry enterprises and beyond.

ROSATOM represented by Rusatom Service JSC offers its foreign partners a comprehensive solution for the development of nuclear infrastructure and competencies with the support of the entire Russian nuclear industry. Rostechnadzor provides comprehensive support to foreign regulators in the development of the regulatory system.

Press service of Rusatom Service JSC

On 21 November 2022, participants in the XII International ATOMEXPO 2022 Forum discussed the prospects and challenges for development of the ocean economy at a round table on Blue Economy: Government, Business and Science for a Sustainable Future. Rusatom Cargo, Rosatom’s logistics integrator, hosted the event.
Experts from India, Egypt, UAE and Russia said the blue economy was an economy of the future. They emphasized its global and cross-border nature and the unique opportunity to become a platform for cooperation between governments, businesses and academia.
Blue economy includes traditional and emerging sectors: shipping, port infrastructure, shipbuilding and maintenance, marine engineering and dredging operations, shelf gas and oil production, marine R&D and education, fisheries and seafood processing, etc.
Natalia Stapran, Director of the Department for Multilateral Economic Cooperation and Special Projects at the Ministry for Economic Development of the Russian Federation, and Nikolay Shabalin, Executive Director of the Moscow State University Marine Research Centre, spoke about international cooperation on blue economy, environmental management of marine areas, funding and digital aspects of aquatic projects.
Mohamed Ahmed Said, Professor of Physical Oceanography at the National Institute of Oceanography and Fisheries (Egypt), shared Egypt and other African countries’ experience, highlighting vital aspects of blue economy development: “Maintaining a balance between economic development and marine ecosystem resilience is crucial for investment in blue economy projects, i.e., sustainable fisheries, aquaculture, marine renewable energy sources and maritime transport. We need to focus on supporting the developing countries so that they might apply an environmental approach to marine resource management.”
Rudra Prasad Pradhan, Associate Professor at the Department of Humanities and Social Sciences at the Birla Institute of Technology and Science, shed light on India’s experience. “The Indian Ocean, washing the shores of 40 countries, has an area of over 70 million square kilometres. It is the main transport route for shipping various goods, including petrochemicals. In Hindi, the word “ocean” is “sagar,” which Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi suggested be interpreted as Security and Growth for All Regions”, said Mr Pradhan. “Being located at the very heart of the Indian Ocean, India sees the ocean as a critical water resource that opens up potential for development and overall economic growth.”
Raj Jit Singh Wallia, DP World's Deputy Chief Financial Officer, offered further insight into the global experience: “DP World contributes a great deal to development of the blue economy. Our company’s priorities in this field include preserving the health of the Ocean, preventing environmental pollution and protecting biodiversity.”
“Blue economy is a matter of great importance to Rosatom, specifically with respect to development of the Arctic. It is imperative to find a balance between maximizing economic benefits and preserving the region’s biological environment. We will also have to identify mechanisms for bringing together academia, government and business to formulate a model for sustainable economic development of the Arctic and other maritime spaces”, said Ekaterina Lyakhova, Rosatom’s Director for Business Development.
Background:
The assets of the global ocean are valued at $25 trillion. The blue economy supports the lives of more than 3 million people and is, in virtual terms, the 7^th largest economy in the world, growing annually and projected to reach $3 trillion as early as 2030.
To ensure sustainable development of the Northern Sea Route, the Moscow State University’s Marine Research Centre, assisted by Rosatom, has launched a pilot research programme for environmental monitoring of the NSR, which relies on Russian and international expertise and best practices in environmental research and preservation.
Rusatom Cargo is a logistics integrator of the State Atomic Energy Corporation Rosatom. The company is now working on the Eurasian Container Transit project for creating a maritime transit container traffic service between Europe and Asia via the Northern Sea Route (NSR).

Press Office, Rusatom Cargo

The “Non-Electric Applications of Nuclear and Radiation Technologies” roundtable was organized by Rusatom Healthcare (a ROSATOM division that accumulates healthcare expertise) and Rusatom Overseas (an integrator company that promotes ROSATOM's range of non-energy solutions) on 21 November under the auspices of the ATOMEXPO 2022 International Forum in Sochi.
Speakers included Phan Việt Cương, Deputy Director, Vinagamma R&D Center for Radiation Technology; Andrey Sitnikov, Technical Leader for Nuclear Infrastructure and Competence Development, IAEA Research Reactor Section; Pyotr Shegay, Deputy General Director for Science, National Medical Research Radiological Centre of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation; Igor Obrubov, General Director of JSC Rusatom Healthcare; Dmitry Vysotsky, Vice President of Rusatom Overseas for Non-Energy Nuclear Projects; and Dmitry Fomin, Deputy General Director of Medscan for the development of nuclear medicine. The roundtable was moderate by Roberto La Forgia, Director of Europium Pharma s.r.l.
The participants discussed a variety of applications of nuclear and radiation technologies for life extension and improving the quality of life. Solutions in this sector are used in areas such as healthcare, agriculture and industry. The discussion focused on global trends and Russian answers to global challenges facing humanity, predominantly in the field of nuclear medicine. The speakers also analyzed opportunities presented by peaceful uses of nuclear technology for achieving relevant ESG goals.
Igor Obrubov, General Director of JSC Rusatom Healthcare, noted: “Non-energy nuclear technologies, which ROSATOM is developing, help achieve two major UN sustainable development goals by extending the human lifespan across the globe and contributing to food security. In healthcare, ROSATOM's multipronged approach ensures that a full range of services can be provided, from isotope generation and preparation of radiopharmaceuticals to treatment at our clinics using nuclear medicine procedures.”
Dmitry Vysotsky, Vice President of Rusatom Overseas for Non-Energy Nuclear Projects, said: “ROSATOM is offering a wide range of non-energy nuclear solutions. A striking example of such a project is the Centre for Nuclear Research and Technology in Bolivia, which is being built by Rosatom in El Alto, 4000 m above sea level.”
Phan Viet Cuong, Deputy Director of the Vinagamma R&D Center for Radiation Technology, described the current status and development plans of applied nuclear technology in Vietnam, configuration and applications of the Centre for Nuclear Science and Technology project that is slated to be realized jointly with ROSATOM. Pyotr Shegay, Deputy General Director for Science, National Medical Research Radiological Centre of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation, highlighted key nuclear medicine projects that are being jointly implemented with ROSATOM and reported on the development of advanced radiopharmaceuticals.

Press service of Rusatom Healthcare, press service of Rusatom Overseas

On 21 November 2022, a round table entitled ‘Nuclear Legacy Sites: Experience and Prospects for Cooperation’ was held in Sochi as part of the 12^th International Forum ATOMEXPO 2022. It was organized by Rosatom’s TVEL Fuel Company.

The event was attended by representatives of the Rosatom State Corporation and relevant Commonwealth ministries, agencies, and organizations as well as international experts in decommissioning. The participants discussed nuclear legacy decommissioning projects currently underway in the CIS, modern technologies, and a joint programme for cooperation. The discussion was moderated by Olga Lugovskaya, Head of Gosatomnadzor of the Republic of Belarus.

Participants stressed the importance of developing nuclear back-end cooperation. First generation nuclear facilities have already been around for 75 years now. The first nuclear power units and fuel cycle facilities, many of which have been shut down without being permanently decommissioned, are fast approaching the 60–70-year mark.

Eduard Nikitin, Director of Decommissioning Programmes at TVEL, presented a Programme Concept for working together to ensure nuclear legacy sites in the CIS are kept in a safe condition. The programme covers six countries: Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan. Preliminary studies estimate there to be more than 40 nuclear legacy sites located in these countries and include shut-down nuclear power units, research reactors, RW storage and disposal facilities, SNF reprocessing facilities, uranium deposits, and tailing ponds.

According to Nikitin, the 23^rd meeting of the Commission of CIS Member States on the Peaceful Use of Atomic Energy in November 2022 approved a methodology proposed by TVEL for determining the potential hazard of nuclear legacy sites capable of serving as the first step to developing and implementing a joint programme. This would make it possible to compile an inventory and create a register of all core facilities located in Commonwealth countries, determine a generalized indicator of potential danger for each, and rank them. In turn, the development of a programme based on this methodology would serve as the basis for solving the most pressing issue: attracting funding for project implementation by all possible means.

Dmitry Pavlov, Head of the Radioactive Waste Management Office of Gosatomnadzor of the Republic of Belarus, thanked TVEL for its assistance in learning more about Russia’s experience and in developing Belarus’ Strategy for Radioactive Waste Management, the draft of which successfully passed public hearings in November 2022.

Vahram Petrosyan, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Armenian Nuclear Power Plant and Director of the Armatom Research Institute noted that the issue of greatest important to Armenia was the construction of third and fourth stage dry spent fuel storage facilities (a difficult international logistics situation prevents the export of irradiated fuel for reprocessing in Russia).

Ilham Sadikov, Director of the Institute of Nuclear Physics of the Academy of Sciences of Uzbekistan (INP), spoke of the importance of nuclear legacy remediation in regards to the republic’s mothballed Yanigabad and Charkesar uranium mines. What’s more, there happen to be RW storage facilities present within the territory of the INP itself, and negotiations for their decommissioning are currently taking place with TVEL. Finally, another prospective area for cooperation is the removal of spent fuel from the research reactor.

Gumar Sergazin, Deputy Chair of the Kazakh Ministry of Energy's Committee for Nuclear and Energy Supervision and Monitoring, spoke of several types of legacy sites located within the country. One such unique site is the BN-350, the world’s first fast neutron power reactor, which was shut down in 1998. At present, it is the world’s only decommissioning project for a fast reactor. Work has been carried out in cooperation with Russian organizations to study technologies for liquid waste management and sodium removal (the coolant in BN reactors), with a feasibility study for the decommissioning project already developed. Some other relevant projects in the republic include the rehabilitation of the Semipalatinsk test site and uranium legacy sites.

Bakytbek Asankulov, Department Head in the Agency for Maintaining Radioactive Tailings at the Ministry of Emergency Situations of the Kyrgyz Republic, talked about the 33 tailings and 27 mine dumps under the ministry’s jurisdiction. He emphasized the importance of the Interstate Target Programme for the Reclamation of State Territories Affected by Uranium Mining Operations, whose implementation in the CIS was taking place under the coordination of the Rosatom State Corporation.

The roundtable also discussed promising new technologies for nuclear back-end projects. Cao Qinjian, Chief Expert at the Chinese Institute for Radiation Protection, touched on the application of digital solutions to nuclear and radiation safety. In addition, Anatoly Annenkov, General Director of Gidrospetsgeologiya, introduced some modern geo-ecological monitoring tools, which included information systems and mathematical modeling methods.

For your reference:

Rosatom’s TVEL Fuel Company serves as an integrator of the Russian nuclear industry on issues of nuclear legacy elimination and base organization for this field in the CIS. In June 2021, by decision of the CIS Economic Council, TVEL was appointed base organization for the CIS for decommissioning and radioactive waste and spent fuel management. TVEL activities as a base organization span a wide range of areas: the consolidation and systematization of accumulated experience and scientific knowledge, the development of common approaches, the harmonization of the regulatory framework, personnel training and professional development, and the provision of direct assistance in the implementation of projects and programmes involving the decommissioning of nuclear facilities and territorial rehabilitation, including the construction and operation of storage sites for nuclear material.

The TVEL Communications Department

The theme of the twelfth annual ATOMEXPO International Forum, which opened on 21 November 2022 in Sochi, is “Atomic Spring: Creating a Sustainable Future.” This theme was selected with intention, as spring is known to symbolise rebirth, renewal, and hope for the future. A serious energy crisis resulting from fossil fuel prices increases, supply instability, and logistics and technological chain disruptions is currently unfolding in the world. Under such unfavourable market conditions, nuclear energy can be harnessed to optimally mitigate the serious energy problems confronting the world’s economies and drive development for decades to come.
This was the topic of an ATOMEXPO plenary session attended by Rosatom Director General Alexey Likhachev, Hungary’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Péter Szijjártó, CEO of Brazil’s ENBPar Corporation Ney Zanella dos Santos, Belarusian’s Minister of Energy Viktor Karankevich, Turkey’s Deputy Minister of Energy and Natural Resources Alparslan Bayraktar, and Bangladesh’s Minister of Science and Technology Yeafesh Osman.
Alexey Likhachev spoke about Rosatom’s projects for the development of nuclear generation in Russia and the country’s role in diversifying the energy mix of various countries worldwide. He stressed that, to this day, Rosatom “has not severed any commercial and scientific ties with foreign partners.” In the 15 years since its founding, the country has built 11 power units in Russia and abroad. It is currently building 23 power units abroad in eight countries and has already signed intergovernmental agreements on 34 power units.
As noted by Alexey Likhachev, over the coming 20-30 years, the company’s portfolio is to see the largest growth amongst newcomer countries to the “nuclear club,” countries such as Bangladesh, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Turkey, Egypt, and Saudi Arabia, that are working to transition to low-carbon sources, as well as various African countries that have concluded their first agreements with Rosatom and are already outlining future projects.
Hungary’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Péter Szijjártó said that the country is building a pragmatic and well-thought-out energy strategy that will not only allow it to develop its nuclear industry and gain more autonomy with regard to energy prices, but also reduce its carbon footprint.
CEO of Brazil’s ENBPar Corporation Ney Zanella dos Santos noted that Brazil is a country with a lot of sun and wind and, therefore, the means to successfully implement these two forms of renewable energy. He also noted that about 90% of the country’s energy balance comes from hydroelectric power plants and stressed that the conditions were also favourable for the development of alternative energy sources. “Nuclear energy is another resource that will allow us to expand our horizons,” said Zanella dos Santos.
Zanella dos Santos also spoke about prospects for the widespread use of small modular nuclear reactors in remote areas of Brazil, as well as about the construction of a new nuclear power plant in the north of the country similar to the existing Angra plant. The new plant’s first and second power units have already been put into operation and the third is expected to be commissioned in 2027. Overall, Brazil intends to add 10 GW of nuclear capacity over the next 30 years.
Belarusian’s Minister of Energy Viktor Karankevich said in his speech that the “country already has a modern nuclear power plant working for the benefit of the people and that has generated 9.6 billion kWh since its commissioning.
“Expected to be launched soon, the second unit of Belarusian NPP will significantly reduce CO2 emissions,” said Karankevich, adding that “further cooperation with Rosatom in such areas as scientific and technical support for the operation of nuclear power plants, the handling of spent nuclear fuel, and the training of personnel for nuclear energy [is expected to] expand.”
The plenary session’s participants agreed that the “nuclear renaissance” is becoming an obvious reality. In October 2022, for instance, Germany’s federal cabinet approved a bill proposed by Chancellor Olaf Scholz to extend the operation of the country’s last three operating nuclear reactors until mid-April 2023. Japan, whose development of nuclear energy stopped after the Fukushima accident, plans to restart its nuclear energy sector and is considering building new nuclear power units. South Korea has rejected the decision of its past leadership to close the country’s nuclear power plant. France and Great Britain intend to increase the respective share of nuclear power generation in their energy mix by 22 and 24 GW, respectively. The United States is extending the life of its nuclear power plants.
At the event’s end, Likhachev made a forecast on the development of the global nuclear energy industry. “Along with the development of generation 3+ power units, the next 10-15 years will see the development of small nuclear generation [technology]. Then, the transition to dual-component nuclear power system will be resolved by the mid-2050s with the simultaneous operation of thermal and fast reactors with a closed nuclear fuel cycle. As for the long-term, i.e. 50 years or more, we will rely on thermonuclear fusion technologies. I am sure that humanity will gain a unique source of energy, a “man-made sun,” which will contribute to sustainable economic development and improve the quality of life for millions of people,” said Likhachev.

Rosatom Communications Department

November 21, 2022, Sochi – Russia and the Burundi have signed a roadmap for establishing a dialogue in the sphere of peaceful uses of nuclear energy.
The document was signed on the sidelines of the XII ATOMEXPO-2022 International Forum by Alexey Likhachev, Director General of ROSATOM, and Ibrahim Uwizeye, Minister of Water Resources, Energy and Mines of the Republic of Burundi.
The roadmap defines concrete steps by the sides in 2022-2024 for the assessments of the prospects for nuclear generation in Burundi and implementation of projects in the field of non-energy applications of nuclear energy in the country.
The parties plan to organize technical tours and seminars, develop plans for the education and personnel training, as well as the joint activities for shaping the of public opinion in the field of nuclear energy.

Communications Department of ROSATOM