On March 26, 2024, the two-day International Forum ATOMEXPO-2024, one of the largest events in the global nuclear industry, completed its work at the Sirius University of Science and Technology (Sirius Federal Territory, Sochi). The exhibition area of the forum exceeded 25.5 thousand square meters, with more than 200 participating companies presenting their expositions.
The Forum, which became the 13th one, set a record in terms of the number of participants – about 4,500 from 75 countries (ten greater than in 2022). The event was honored by the presence of representatives of business, government agencies, and international organizations.
The forum platform brought together many high-profile guests. The sessions and round tables were attended by: Mikhail Chudakov, Head of the IAEA Nuclear Energy Department, Dmitry Peskov, Special Representative of the President of the Russian Federation for Digital and Technology Development, Peter Szijjarto, Minister of Foreign Economic Relations and Foreign Affairs of Hungary, Alparslan Bayraktar, Minister of Energy and Natural Resources of Türkiye, Sama Bilbao y León, President of the World Nuclear Association (WNA), Viktor Karankevich, Minister of Energy of the Republic of Belarus, Danica Grujicic, Minister of Health of the Republic of Serbia, Sultan Ahmed Bin Sulayem, Chairperson of the Board and CEO of DP World, Loiso Tyabashe, CEO of the South African Nuclear Energy Corporation Group, Meirzhan Yusupov, Chairperson of the Board of NAC Kazatomprom JSC, and many others.
The relevance of ATOMEXPO as a platform for discussing strategic initiatives and strengthening international relations was confirmed by a record number of 75 participating countries. Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger, and Iraq participated in the Forum for the first time.
The forum was marked by a significant increase in the number of agreements signed (compared to the 2022 event). More than 80 different agreements were signed, almost double the number of agreements signed at the previous time. This demonstrates how serious the representatives of near and far abroad countries are about cooperation with Russia.
Burkina Faso can be singled out among Rosatom’s new partners. The parties have developed a roadmap for expanding cooperation in the peaceful use of nuclear energy. The document signed at the forum provides for specific steps to develop human resources and infrastructure in the nuclear sector in Burkina Faso, and it is also aimed at forming a positive public opinion of nuclear energy.
On March 25, a Comprehensive Program of Russian-Belarusian Cooperation in Nuclear Non-Power and Non-Nuclear Projects was signed as part of ATOMEXPO-2024. It sets out the main objectives of cooperation for the next few years, including the implementation of joint investment projects and the introduction of Industry 4.0 technologies in the Belarusian energy sector and industry. In its implementation, the projects and programs of the Union State are to be used as closely as possible.
We can also note the growing number of agreements in non-nuclear technologies. Agreements were concluded in the field of HPPs and WPPs, supply of energy storage systems, and educational programs. These deals confirmed the relevance of the course taken by Rosatom to develop new business areas.
The forum sessions were focused on climate change, the use of alternative energy sources (including nuclear energy), and the development of nuclear medicine projects. In particular, Rosatom signed an agreement with Nicaragua to develop a roadmap for a project to build a Nuclear Medicine Center. The new Center will specialize in the diagnosis and treatment of socially significant diseases, including oncology. The agreement was signed by the heads of Rosatom Health Technologies and the Department of Health of the Republic of Nicaragua.
An agreement was also signed between the Wind Energy Division of Rosatom and the Ministry of Energy of the Kyrgyz Republic on the implementation of an investment project. It provides for the development of wind power generation facilities in the friendly country.
One of the core topics of the event was IV generation nuclear technologies. One of the sessions was dealing with the projects for the development of these technologies, and it aroused great interest of the forum participants. In addition, an important part of ATOMEXPO-2024 was a solemn ceremony of launching the pilot production of innovative nuclear fuel for the fourth generation reactor BREST-OD-300 (it was held as a teleconference). The event, which took place in Seversk, Tomsk region, was watched by Alexey Likhachev, Director General of Rosatom, Rafael Grossi, Director General of the IAEA, Sama Bilbao y León, President of the WNA (World Nuclear Association), Elena Shmeleva, Chairperson of the Board of the Sirius Federal Territory of Krasnodar territory, Head of the Talent and Success Foundation, and many others.
The main topic of the plenary session of the forum was the transition to two-component nuclear power, developments in fourth generation power production, and reduction of carbon emissions. During the discussion, it was noted that a strategic task for the Russian nuclear industry is the joint development of innovative technologies, including small modular reactors and fourth-generation reactors.
New frameworks of nuclear power development in Russia were also outlined. In particular, the machine-building division of Rosatom and the government of Primorsky territory signed an agreement on cooperation to assess the possibility of creating power generation facilities based on floating power units. As part of the agreements reached, the parties undertook to work out the issues related to defining the parameters of the project for the creation of power generation facilities based on floating power units to develop a feasibility study, determining the optimal location of FPUs, financial, economic, and technical parameters.
A new feature of the event is also worth noting. As part of the demonstration of Rosatom’s commitment to the climate agenda, the carbon footprint of the 13th International Forum ATOMEXPO-2024 will be compensated using special certificates. “ATOMEXPO-2024 has one difference – it is the first completely carbon-free forum. All of the forum’s energy sources are green. Forum motto: ‘Clean energy. Creating the future together’. And there are two key words: future and together. Only together, regardless of state borders, can we build a clean, ecological, energy tomorrow for our planet,” commented Alexey Likhachev, Director General of Rosatom.
Currently, Rosatom’s efforts are aimed at expanding the share of nuclear energy in the country’s energy balance. This task was set by President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin. ATOMEXPO-2024 was an important stage in the dialogue about the future of the industry and the creation of an energy landscape that contributes to the sustainable development of our planet.
Reference
The ATOMEXPO International Forum, held since 2009, is one of the main events of the global atomic industry. It is the largest exhibition and business platform for discussing the current state of the nuclear industry and setting trends of future development. The exhibition is a space where leading companies of the global nuclear industry and related industries share their technologies and competencies.
To demonstrate Rosatom’s commitment to the climate agenda, the carbon footprint of the 13th ATOMEXPO-2024 International Forum will be offset based on special certificates.
