The Rosatom representatives took part in the International Youth Forum for Sustainable Nuclear Technologies has ended in Egypt. This event was organized by the Egyptian Nuclear Power Plant Authority (NPPA) in partnership with Rosatom. The Forum united more than 350 people from 25 countries – representatives of government and public organizations, universities, including experts, young scientists, students and postgraduates from different countries. About 800 thousand people watched the event broadcast online.
The Forum participants discussed a series of key topics – the impact of nuclear technologies on the development of various industries and the quality of life of modern people; ensuring the cycle of creating breakthrough innovations through the development of the nuclear industry; the contribution of nuclear education to the training of qualified personnel. In total, 9 official events were held within the framework of the Forum’s business program – thematic plenary sessions and discussions, a series of mini-lectures, youth events “on the sidelines” and a technology tour.
During the events of the Forum’s business program, the selection of foreign nuclear youth for the opportunity to participate in World Atomic Week (WAW), a global international forum on nuclear and related industries, which will be held this year in Moscow. The award ceremony for the winners of the first quiz was attended by Tatiana Terentieva, Deputy Director General for Personnel at ROSATOM, and Dr. Mohammed Dwiddar, Chairman of the Board of the Egyptian Nuclear Power Plant Authority. They presented official diplomas to the top three prize-winners. The winners included: Mahmoud Morsi from the Egyptian Association of Young Nuclear Professionals (EYGN), Ahmed Soliman and Nada Eltohfa from the University of Alexandria.
In the interactive area of the Forum, two thematic photo exhibitions were presented by the Engineering Division of Rosatom and the Egyptian Nuclear Power Plant Authority (NPPA). The exhibition “Collection of Impressions” from ASE JSC was assembled from the works of the winners in special nominations of the ASE International Photo Awards. The NPPA photo exhibition was dedicated to the important milestones of the construction of the El Dabaa NPP. The participants of the Forum also had the opportunity to immerse themselves in the world of nuclear power plant construction using VR technologies (in particular, to take a virtual tour of the El Dabaa NPP). The final event of the Forum was a technical tour to the El Dabaa NPP. The participants learned about the stages of construction of the nuclear power plant and saw all four power units that are currently being built.
What issues were discussed during the forum
A meeting of young experts of BRICS young experts on nuclear energy and technology was held with the participation of M.V. Chudakov, Deputy Director General of the IAEA. During the group’s meeting, the draft study for 2025 was discussed, including the initiative of a joint project with the IAEA. The meeting participants presented more than 10 reports reflecting the key trends in the development of nuclear cooperation between the BRICS countries. The discussion was continued by a lecture on nuclear safety issues. M.V. Chudakov, in his report, highlighted the key aspects of ensuring safety in the nuclear energy sector, emphasizing the importance of international cooperation and compliance with strict standards.
The session, “African Youth: Shaping the Future for Sustainable Nuclear Technologies,” became a platform for discussing key aspects of youth involvement in the development of nuclear energy and technology on the continent. The session also featured 14 reports by AYGN participants from different African countries.
The panel discussion “Egypt is Transitioning to Nuclear Energy: Global Partnership for Capacity and Action” was devoted to the dynamics of global cooperation in the nuclear field, the role of the international regulatory framework and application of the best practices. The event also featured key global projects contributing to the industry’s progress (including the construction project for the El Dabaa nuclear power plant).
The discussion was attended by Mikhail Chudakov; Alexey Kononenko, Vice President of Atomstroyexport JSC, El Dabaa NPP Project Manager; Mohamed Yasser Khalil, Head of the Nuclear Engineering Department at Alexandria University (Egypt); Radia Sedaoui, Head of the Cluster “Climate Change and Natural Resource Sustainability” of the UN Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia; Alikaan Çiftçi, President of the Turkish Atomic Industry Association (NIATR) and others.
The session was moderated by Elsie Pule, Chief Coordinator of the BRICS Atomic Energy Platform.
Alexey Kononenko spoke about the history of peaceful atom and about the current construction of the El Dabaa NPP. “The construction of the nuclear power plant is advancing at a good pace, and working with Egyptian partners is proceeding without any problems. We are ready to share all our knowledge and skills with the Egyptian side. We are absolutely satisfied with the quality of the cooperation with Egypt, we act as a united team in this project, solving all complex issues together,” he said.
The International Youth Forum for Sustainable Nuclear Technologies was held for the first time from February 25 to 27 to highlight the role of nuclear technology in sustainable development, unlock the potential of nuclear technology for the younger generation and draw the attention of Egyptian youth to the nuclear industry. The Forum was organized by the Egyptian Nuclear Power Plant Authority (NPPA) in partnership with Rosatom.
The El Dabaa NPP is the first nuclear power plant in Egypt. The NPP is being built in the city of El Dabaa, Matrouh Province, on the Mediterranean coast, about 300 kilometers northwest of Cairo. The El Dabaa NPP consists of four 1,200 MW power units equipped with Russian design VVER-1200 water-cooled reactors. This is an evolutionary generation III+ design that fully complies with international safety requirements. The El Dabaa NPP is being built under a set of contracts that entered into force on December 11, 2017. In accordance with the contractual obligations, the Russian side will not only build the NPP, but will also supply nuclear fuel throughout the entire operation life of the plant, as well as assist the Egyptian partners in training the plant’s personnel during the operation and maintenance stage during the first ten years of the NPP’s operation. In addition, the Russian side, under a separate contract, will build special storage facilities and provide special containers for spent fuel storage.
The Engineering Division of Rosatom unites leading companies in the nuclear industry – Atomstroyexport JSC (Moscow, Nizhny Novgorod, branches in Russia and abroad), the Joint Design Institute – Atomenergoproekt JSC (Moscow, Nizhny Novgorod, St. Petersburg branches – design institutes, branches in Russia and abroad, R&D branches) and subsidiary construction organizations. The Engineering Division ranks first in the world by the order portfolio and the number of NPPs constructed simultaneously across the world.
About 80 % of the Division’s revenue originate from foreign projects. The Engineering Division implements construction projects for in Russia and across the world, renders a full range of EPC, EP, EPC(M) services, including project management and design activities, and develops Multi-D technologies for the management of complex engineering facilities. The Division relies on the achievements of the Russian nuclear industry and modern cutting-edge technologies. https://www.ase-ec.ru/
The Russian companies successfully implement development projects and create innovative solutions. The development of breakthrough technologies increases the competitiveness of both the nuclear industry and the domestic economy as a whole. Rosatom and its enterprises take an active part in this work.
