Category: International Atomic Energy Agency

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ADB President Masato Kanda and IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi signed a new agreement to strengthen cooperation to support countries in Asia and the Pacific exploring nuclear energy alternatives. Photo: D. Calma/IAEA

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and the Asian Development Bank (ADB) have signed a new agreement to strengthen cooperation to support countries in Asia and the Pacific as they explore ways to incorporate nuclear energy alternatives into their long-term energy and development strategies.

The agreement, signed by IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi and ADB President Masato Kanda on the sidelines of the High-Level International Forum on the NUTEC Plastics Initiative in Manila, Philippines, came at a key moment: on November 24, the ADB Board of Directors revised its energy policy to include measures to promote nuclear energy as a decarbonization tool, including through investment. Following this shift in direction by the ADB, the IAEA welcomed the bank's commitment to begin discussions to identify specific areas and potential projects for cooperation.

"This new partnership is an important step toward attracting investment for nuclear energy projects," said Mr. Grossi. "The agreement signed today marks a significant step forward. The ADB has opened the door to nuclear energy financing, and now we will quickly identify practical areas of cooperation that will meet the growing energy needs of countries in the region. The ADB's new approach to nuclear financing and the IAEA's technical leadership are an excellent combination. We will now begin to formulate concrete initiatives that will enable reliable, low-carbon energy and bring greater stability to the lives of millions of people," explained Mr. Grossi.

"Considering the ADB's updated energy policy, which views nuclear energy as an alternative to fossil fuels for baseload generation, this agreement provides developing country participants with robust guarantees, effective governance, and a firm commitment to sustainable development," explains Mr. Kanda. "We aim to help the region make informed decisions that balance the need for energy access with the need to ensure energy security and a sustainable future."

Earlier this year, the Agency concluded a historic agreement with the World Bank, signed by Director-General Grossi and World Bank President Ajay Banga. The agreement with the ADB will enable development organizations worldwide to support nuclear energy. This further contributes to growing interest in this sector globally and to supporting countries that are beginning to develop nuclear energy to expand energy access, ensure security, and ensure sustainability.

The agreement provides a framework for cooperation in innovative nuclear technologies that will enable countries in Asia and the Pacific to diversify their energy mix and meet growing electricity demand. The agreement will enable the ADB to deepen its technical expertise in nuclear energy, particularly in areas such as energy planning, infrastructure development, and the incorporation of nuclear energy alternatives into clean energy transition strategies.

According to the IAEA, there are currently 37 countries embarking on the development of nuclear energy, considering the possibility of integrating nuclear energy into their energy mix, planning to do so, or having successfully made progress in this direction. More than a third of these countries are members of the Asian Development Bank (ADB).

This new phase was made possible by the existing framework agreement on cooperation between the IAEA and the ADB. Under it, the two organizations collaborate on shared priority areas such as health, food security, environmental protection, water resources management, and energy planning.

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How Nuclear Technology Can Help Solve Plastic Pollution

World leaders are gathering in Manila for the NUTEC Plastics Forum to discuss progress, address existing challenges, and chart a path forward. At the forum, the IAEA will showcase how nuclear science and technology are helping combat plastic pollution.

November 25, 2025

Monika Šifotoka, IAEA Office of Public Information and Communication

Marine debris containing plastic pellets on a Sri Lankan beach. (Photo: S. Funk/Ocean Image Bank)

How Nuclear Technology Can Help Solve Plastic Pollution

Every year, approximately 20 million tons of plastic end up in oceans, rivers, and lakes, destroying ecosystems and depriving people of their livelihoods. In 2020, the IAEA began implementing Initiatives to use nuclear technology to combat plastic pollution (NUTEK plastics), which uses science to track, understand, and reduce plastic pollution at every level—down to the atom. In this article, you'll learn how nuclear technology is helping countries combat the scourge of plastic pollution.

1. Fighting plastic pollution on two fronts

NUTEK Plastics combines science and technology to combat plastic waste by:

Monitoring and assessment – using nuclear techniques to track and study microplastics in the oceans to inform decision-making; and plastic waste recycling – using radiation technologies to transform plastic waste into useful and valuable products.

2. See the invisible

IAEA scientists François Oberhensli and Marc Metjan collect samples of Antarctic beach sand for further analysis. (Photo: IAEA)

Microplastics are tiny particles, sometimes as small as one thousandth of a millimeter. NUTEK Plastics uses nuclear imaging tools and radioactive tracers to detect, track, and study the movement of these particles in marine ecosystems—and even in seafood.

Scientists have also proven that Microplastics are passed from a female shark to her baby..

These data are used to develop evidence-based policies and protect the marine environment and those who rely on the sea for their livelihoods.

3. Ocean monitoring

(Photo: IAEA)

Using nuclear imaging techniques, scientists can detect the presence of even the smallest plastic particles in seawater, beach sand, sediment, and marine organisms.

NUTEK Plastics provides laboratories around the world with the technology and technical expertise needed to sample, analyze, and monitor ocean microplastic pollution.

As part of the IAEA's efforts to monitor marine microplastic pollution, IAEA experts from the Marine Environment Laboratories in Monaco conducted sampling missions to Antarctica and the Galapagos Islands in Ecuador to collect data and support the development of sampling capacity in the region. The answer to the question of the presence of microplastics there is affirmative—microplastics have already reached these most remote corners of the world.

Currently, the NUTEC Plastics Global Network of Marine Monitoring Laboratories encompasses over 100 laboratories worldwide, facilitating the exchange of data and expertise. Through the IAEA's technical cooperation program, over 400 scientists have been trained in monitoring and analyzing microplastic pollution.

4. Transforming plastic waste into useful materials

Building materials made from recycled plastic, Philippines. (Photo: FINR)

Using radiation-based technology, NUTEK Plastics helps countries streamline the process of sorting and recycling plastics. These nuclear methods allow waste to be converted into durable building materials, industrial fuels, and industrial waxes, as well as stronger, more environmentally friendly plastics.

5. Bringing science and industry together to create practical solutions

Weather-resistant straw made from recycled plastic and rice husks, Indonesia. (Photo: PI-TI WAIRO)

NUTEK Plastics promotes collaboration between the public and private sectors to ensure that solutions are not only scientifically sound but also market-ready. Some countries are using these materials in the following ways:

Argentina produces railroad ties from recycled plastic waste. China processes polyolefins, commonly found in food and shrink wrap, into industrial wax. In Indonesia, weather-resistant straw has been created from recycled plastic and rice husks. In Malaysia, radiation-induced processes are used to convert PTFE (Teflon) waste into industrial additives, and used polyethylene is used to produce fuel. In the Philippines, affordable building materials are produced from recycled plastic. In Tunisia, some cement is replaced with material made from irradiated plastic waste to produce lighter, cheaper, yet equally durable concrete. Romania and Germany are improving sorting methods to increase the purity of recycled polyethylene and polypropylene, allowing the creation of high-quality fabrics from plastic waste.

6. Moving towards a circular economy

The IAEA's mobile electron beam system on display during the IAEA General Conference, September 2025. (Photo: A. Evrensel/IAEA)

NUTEK Plastics helps countries reduce their dependence on fossil fuels, reduce CO₂ emissions, and improve sustainable production by turning waste into valuable resources.

New circular economy assessment platform expands capabilities IAEA instrumentation, complementing existing models for assessing the technological maturity and economic feasibility of introducing electron beam processing technologies into the field of plastics processing.

The IAEA's new mobile electron beam system will also support Member States in research and development, training, and demonstration of innovative applications of ionizing radiation, including the sorting and recycling of plastic waste.

7. Acceleration of industrial transition

Durable railroad ties made from irradiated plastic waste, Argentina. (Photo: Circularis)

Under the initiative, 53 member states receive guidance through a structured development plan that helps them scale their activities from laboratory research to industrial production. The goal is to commission industrial-scale pilot plants by 2026–2027, paving the way for cleaner industry and bringing them one step closer to a circular economy.

Collaborate with us

The NUTEK Plastics initiative is being implemented within the framework of the IAEA technical cooperation programme and coordinated research projects (CRP), as well as thanks to contributions from IAEA Member States and partners. Additional information, including facts and figures, can be found on the portal NUTEK Plastics, donors and partnerships, posted Here.

Stay up to date with the latest news International high-level forum on the initiative of NUTEK Plastics in real time on the IAEA social media pages: Facebook, X, LinkedIn, Instagram And Threads.

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How nuclear science and technology help protect the environment

November 14, 2025

Emma Midgley, Public Information and Communications Bureau

The IAEA is participating in COP30 to showcase how nuclear science and technology help countries secure clean energy, strengthen food security, manage water resources and protect oceans.

World leaders, representatives of international organizations and businesses, scientists, and environmental activists are attending COP30 in Belém, where the IAEA is demonstrating how nuclear science and technology can help address environmental challenges. Nuclear science not only provides the world with reliable and clean energy but also supports scientists monitoring and protecting ecosystems, improving food security, and reducing pollution.

Visitors to the IAEA Atoms4Climate pavilion can see these innovations in action. For example, in Brazil, electron beam processing technology is transforming industrial wastewater treatment. Latin American countries are using nuclear technology to combat insect pests, protect crops, and promote food exports, benefiting farmers, consumers, and the environment.

The first tube contains untreated wastewater containing textile dye, the second contains water after irradiation, and the third contains water treated with a higher dose of radiation. Photo: IAEA

1. Electron beam processing for industrial wastewater treatment

Treating wastewater containing industrial pollutants remains a serious challenge for many countries. Using its electron beam processing technology, the IAEA helps countries develop innovative solutions that break down complex pollutants and improve water quality without the use of chemicals.

With the support of the IAEA and the Brazilian Innovation Agency (FINEP), a portable electron beam accelerator system has been deployed in Brazil to treat industrial wastewater, improving water quality and contributing to environmental protection.

Read also:» Water Pollutants: An Invisible Crisis» The IAEA has unveiled a mobile electron beam system designed to expand access to innovative technology worldwide.

Mangroves in coastal areas absorb and store organic carbon. Photo: Adobe Stock

2. Protecting the world's oceans through ecosystems that act as reservoirs of blue carbon

The IAEA's Marine Environment Laboratories in Monaco support blue carbon initiatives, focusing on mangroves, seagrasses, and tidal marshes—coastal ecosystems that capture and store organic carbon. Using nuclear and isotopic techniques, the IAEA helps countries assess carbon accumulation rates and ecosystem health, contributing to climate change mitigation and biodiversity conservation.

At COP30, the IAEA's work on blue carbon will be highlighted in a UN-Oceans session on "Ocean, Climate, and Biodiversity Nexus: Harnessing Synergies Across Approaches," which focuses on building partnerships to find nature-based solutions.

Read also:» What is Blue Carbon? 

The Mediterranean fruit fly is an extremely dangerous pest, posing a threat to agricultural production worldwide. Photo: R. Cardoso Pereira / FAO–IAEA

3. The sterile insect method as a component of climate-smart agriculture

The sterile insect technique (SIT) is an environmentally friendly insect pest control method used to suppress populations of harmful fruit flies in Brazil, Mexico, and Chile. Sometimes referred to as a fertility control method, SIT involves releasing male insects sterilized using radiation into the wild, where they mate with naturally occurring females but do not produce offspring. SIT reduces the need for insecticides, protects crops, and opens up access to international markets for food exports.

At COP30, this method is presented as part of efforts to achieve climate-smart agriculture using nuclear science and techniques.

Read also:» Sterile insect method

Nuclear data helps track glaciers' retreat and the impact on water resources. (Photo: IAEA)

4. Monitoring the state of glaciers and water resources in mountainous areas

Glaciers are retreating and even disappearing in many mountainous areas, threatening the water supply of millions of people. The IAEA is supporting countries, including Bolivia, in using nuclear techniques, such as cosmic neutron source probes and isotope hydrology, to measure soil moisture and water availability in high-mountain ecosystems. These tools help scientists and decision-makers assess the impact of glacier retreat on water resources and provide guidance on sustainable land management.

At COP30, the IAEA is presenting this area of its work at the session "Nuclear Science for Building Resilience to Climate Change," which coincides with the UN's International Year of Glaciers, 2025. The session will highlight how nuclear applications empower local communities to adapt to changing conditions.

Read also:» Numbered Days: Collecting Data on Bolivia's Vanishing Glaciers» From the Andes to the Himalayas: How Glacier Retreat Affects Soil and Water

ITER is an international project aimed at demonstrating the scientific and technological feasibility of producing energy through nuclear fusion. Photo: ITER

5. Fusion energy and the fight against climate change: the dialogue continues

As the world searches for new sources of clean energy, research into fusion energy is gaining momentum. At COP30, the IAEA will present the current state of research in fusion, including the progress of the ITER international project in France, which is the world's largest experimental thermonuclear facility.

The session will present an overview of the current state of affairs in the field of fusion energy, including the development of various international, national and private projects, as well as conclusions based on the publication "Global Fusion: The IAEA 2025 Review".

Read also:» What is nuclear fusion?» Fusion Energy in 2025: Six Global Trends Worth Watching

The IAEA countries supports in identifying pathways to accelerate the deployment of nuclear power. (Photo: Adobe Stock)

6. Low-carbon energy financing strategies

Building on the results of the global stocktake held at COP28, the IAEA is supporting countries to identify ways to accelerate the deployment of nuclear power, alongside renewable energy and emission reduction and removal technologies, particularly in sectors where emissions are difficult to reduce and in low-carbon hydrogen production.

The COP will also focus on accelerating the deployment of small modular reactors (SMRs). SMRs offer flexible and cost-effective solutions for small power grids, making them suitable for use in energy-intensive industries, data centers, and commercial vessels. The IAEA event will explore approaches to financing, policy, and regulation of SMRs.

Read also:» What are small modular reactors (SMRs)?

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This week, the IAEA begins its work at the 30th United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP30), taking place from 10 to 22 November in Belém, Brazil, showcasing how nuclear technology can help address global energy and environmental challenges.

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Fusion Energy in 2025: Six Global Trends Worth Watching

November 7, 2025

Emma Midgley, IAEA Office of Public Information and Communication

Construction of the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER), the world's largest fusion device. (Photo: ITER)

Rapid changes are occurring in fields related to fusion energy. The development of fusion technologies, previously relegated solely to experimental research, is now increasingly viewed as a strategic national R&D priority. The publication "Thermonuclear Fusion in the World: The IAEA 2025 Review" Key achievements in the field of thermonuclear fusion in different countries of the world are presented.

1. The development of technologies for the use of thermonuclear energy is accelerating

The fusion industry is entering a new, decisive stage. The primary international project promoting scientific and technological progress in this field remains ITER— the world's largest experimental thermonuclear facilityA total of 33 countries and thousands of engineers and scientists are participating in the creation and operation of this magnetic plasma confinement thermonuclear device—the tokamak. ITER aims to prove the feasibility of using thermonuclear fusion technology to generate carbon-free energy on an industrial scale.

Meanwhile, governments, private sector representatives, and energy companies are pursuing complementary initiatives that are opening new horizons in the field of nuclear fusion. Cutting-edge facilities are being built, joint public-private initiatives are gaining momentum, and regulators are developing a specialized regulatory framework that reflects the latest trends. Other market participants, who are end users, are demonstrating growing confidence in this technology by concluding the first power purchase agreements.

2. The volume of private investment exceeds USD 10 billion

Globally, private investment in nuclear fusion technology has exceeded $10 billion, reflecting growing confidence in the industry. Funding comes from sovereign wealth funds, large corporations, and energy-consuming enterprises, all of whom are supporting a new generation of companies developing nuclear fusion technologies.

3. In the future, nuclear fusion will play an important role in the structure of electricity production

Fusion energy is projected to play a significant role in meeting the growing global demand for clean energy to provide baseload power. The publication "Global Fusion: The IAEA 2025 Outlook" presents for the first time the results of a global fusion power deployment model conducted at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). This study analyzes the potential contribution of fusion energy to the electricity generation mix based on various policy, cost, and technological assumptions.

According to a scenario in which minimum capital costs are $2,800 per kW in 2050, fusion energy's share of global energy production could reach 50 percent by 2100. Calculations show that even under a scenario assuming maximum capital costs of $11,300 per kW, fusion energy's share of global energy production would reach 10 percent by 2100.

Furthermore, the modeling results point to the economic value of fusion energy: as demand for clean electricity grows, the use of fusion technologies could contribute trillions of dollars to global GDP.

4. International cooperation opens up new opportunities

IAEA Global Fusion Energy Group (GTEG), established in 2024, promotes global dialogue and coordinated efforts. More than 160 fusion facilities are in operation, construction, or planning stages, and the scope of international cooperation is expanding through multilateral platforms. Currently, there is no globally agreed-upon definition of a fusion power plant, but many legal systems recognize the need for a clear framework for fusion devices intended to generate electricity or heat for commercial purposes.

5. Diversification of thermonuclear fusion technologies is taking place

Fusion technologies are developing in several parallel directions. Building on the achievements of large-scale international collaborative projects such as ITER, a wide range of concepts are being developed in the public and private sectors—tokamaks, stellarators, systems based on laser fusion and inertial confinement, magnetic-inertial compression, mirror traps, field-reversed configurations, various "pinch" effects, and much more. In the search for solutions for the industrial implementation of fusion technologies, this diversity is fostering innovative approaches and advancing the industry.

6. High-temperature superconducting magnets will allow for the creation of more compact thermonuclear devices

The publication "Global Fusion: The IAEA 2025 Review" places special emphasis on high-temperature superconducting (HTS) magnets, which have the potential to revolutionize the design of next-generation fusion devices. While design constraints and engineering tradeoffs still need to be addressed, HTS materials can be used to design more compact and efficient fusion devices.

HTS magnets are increasingly used in various fusion concepts, including tokamaks, stellarators, and mirror traps. Projects such as SPARC And WHAMHTS coils are being used to improve performance and reduce device size, cost, and development time. Furthermore, the possibility of using HTS technology as a core component in several other systems currently in the design phase is being explored.

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Second Ministerial Meeting of IAEA World Fusion Energy Group and 30th IAEA Fusion Energy Conference Take Place in Chengdu, China

The second Ministerial Meeting of the IAEA World Fusion Energy Group was held on Tuesday 14 October in Chengdu, China, co-chaired by the China Atomic Energy Authority and the IAEA.

October 15, 2025

Emma Midgley, IAEA Office of Public Information and Communication

High level and senior officials from dozens of countries, international organizations and private industry attended the fusion events in China. (Photo: CAEA)

The second Ministerial Meeting of the IAEA World Fusion Energy Group was held on Tuesday 14 October in Chengdu, China, co-chaired by the China Atomic Energy Authority and the IAEA. The meeting brought together high-level and senior officials from dozens of countries, international organizations, and private industry to exchange information on national policies, programs and initiatives relating to fusion energy, a potentially abundant source of clean energy capable of meeting growing development needs.

Launched in 2024, the World Fusion Energy Group (WFEG) serves as a global platform to unite public and private sector stakeholders, as well as representatives from academia and regulatory bodies, to accelerate the research, development, demonstration and deployment of fusion energy. This year's meeting built on the momentum of the first meeting in Rome, deepening dialogue on research and development towards demonstration and deployment, fusion regulation and global supply chains.

The WFEG opened jointly with the 30th IAEA Fusion Energy Conference, which runs until Saturday 18 October, providing a global platform for sharing the latest research and advances in fusion energy. It brings together public institutions and private companies from around the world, featuring cutting edge progress in experiments, theory, engineering, materials, and commercialization pathways.

Mr Grossi launched the third edition of the World Fusion Outlook at the opening of the fusion events. (Photo: CAEA)

Addressing more than 1000 delegates, IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi, thanked all those were “working together to take this important indispensable step to bring the promise of fusion into the reality of today.”

Not launched the World Fusion Outlook 2025, the IAEA's definitive global reference on fusion energy developments, and announced that the Agency will begin working with a group of international experts to develop a new guidance publication for fusion energy. This forthcoming document will provide countries with practical steps and essential guidance for establishing national fusion energy programs. Building on the Fusion Key Elements released last year, it will draw on the IAEA's extensive experience in helping Member States plan and implement complex scientific and technological undertakings. Mr Grossi also announced the designation of China National Nuclear Corporation's Southwestern Institute of Physics as an IAEA collaborating center on research and training in fusion energy, buildings on decades of partnership between the two organizations.

Following opening addresses by Party Secretary of Sichuan Province, Xiaohui Wang, IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi, and China's Vice Minister of Science and Technology, Jiachang Chen, participants heard a keynote speech from China Atomic Energy Agency (CAEA) Chairman Zhongde Shan, who outlined China's fusion energy program.

China's National Nuclear Corporation's Southwestern Institute of Physics was officially designated as an IAEA collaborating center on research and training in fusion energy. (Photo: CAEA)

Mr Shan spoke of the importance of collaboration in fusion research: “It is important to deepen the collaboration between industry, universities and research institutes to ensure that fusion energy development remains innovative, coordinated and collaborative”

China's Vice Premier Guoqing Zhang in his special address closed the Opening Session.

“Achieving this goal [of supporting fusion research, development and deployment] will require an inclusive, multi-stakeholder approach that brings together governments, regulators, academia, private industry, and civil society,” Mr Zhang said. “Equally vital is building public trust: engaging communities from the very beginning to ensure that fusion energy is developed transparently, deployed safely, and embraced responsibly.

“The WFEG established by the IAEA provides a platform for uniting these stakeholders and fostering a cohesive global fusion community,” he concluded.

The WFEG meeting then continued with national statements and a series of technical panel discussion and concluded with a meeting summary under the Statement on the second WFEG Ministerial Meeting Conclusions in Chengdu.

Throughout the day, a recurring theme was the central role of international collaboration across governments, industry, research and academia to ensure that fusion progresses efficiently and safely to provide a clean solution to growing global energy demands. The discussions reaffirmed the vital role of international organizations such as the IAEA and ITER in supporting fusion research, development and deployment.

“The WFEG is now consolidated as a unique global platform where all actors from governments and regulators to research institutions and private industry come together around concrete topics and implementation,” said Mr Grossi. “Through this inclusive and action-oriented group, we are ensuring that fusion moves decisively from aspiration to realization.”

The WFEG invited the IAEA to continue advancing activities under its auspices, in collaboration with its Member States and partners, to support progress across these areas. The IAEA will periodically convene WFEG gatherings to review achievements, maintain high-level engagement and promote further collaborative action to bring fusion from vision to reality.

The Group looks forward to convening again to take stock of progress and chart next steps. Read the full statement here.

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Where does nuclear energy come from? The scientific basis of nuclear energy

What's what in the nuclear sphere?

Learn more about nuclear energy in this article about how a nuclear power plant works, what the nuclear fuel cycle is, and what key nuclear energy challenges the IAEA addresses.

November 5, 2025

Andrea Galindo, IAEA Office of Public Information and Communication

Nuclear energy is a form of energy released from the nucleus—the central part of atoms, consisting of protons and neutrons. This energy can be generated by two physical processes: fission, when atomic nuclei split into several pieces, and fusion, when nuclei fuse together.

Nuclear energy, used worldwide today to generate electricity, is generated through nuclear fission, while fusion-based electricity generation technology is still in the research and experimental development phase. In this article, we will focus on nuclear fission. You can learn more about nuclear fusion from this article.

What is nuclear fission?

Graphic: A. Vargas/IAEA

Nuclear fission is a reaction in which the nucleus of an atom splits into two or more smaller nuclei, releasing energy.

For example, when a neutron strikes a uranium-235 atom, the nucleus splits into a barium nucleus, a krypton nucleus, and two or three more neutrons. These additional neutrons collide with other nearby uranium-235 nuclei, which also split and generate additional neutrons, resulting in a chain reaction within a fraction of a second.

Each time such a reaction is accompanied by the release of energy in the form of heat and radiationJust as heat from fossil fuels such as coal, gas, and oil is used to generate electricity, a nuclear power plant can convert this thermal energy into electricity.

How does a nuclear power plant work?

In a nuclear power plant reactor, a nuclear chain reaction is localized and controlled using appropriate equipment, most often using uranium-235 fuel, which produces heat through fission. This heat is used to heat the reactor coolant, typically water, to produce steam. The steam is then directed to turbines, causing them to rotate and activating an electric generator, producing electricity without carbon dioxide emissions.

Read more about the different types of nuclear power reactors at this page.

Pressurized water reactors (PWRs) are the most widely used nuclear reactors worldwide. Image: A. Vargas/IAEA

Uranium mining, enrichment and utilization

Uranium is a metal found in rocks throughout the world. Uranium has several natural occurrences. isotopes, which are forms of the element that differ in mass and physical properties but have the same chemical properties. Uranium has two primordial isotopes: uranium-238 and uranium-235. Uranium-238 accounts for the majority of the world's uranium but is incapable of undergoing a fission chain reaction, while uranium-235 can be used to generate energy through fission but accounts for less than 1 percent of the world's uranium reserves.

To increase the fissionability of natural uranium, the amount of uranium-235 it contains must be increased through a process called uranium enrichment. After enrichment, uranium can be used effectively for three to five years as nuclear fuel in nuclear power plants. After this period, it remains radioactive and must be disposed of in accordance with strict regulations to protect people and the environment. Used fuel, known as spent fuel, can also be reprocessed into other types of fuel, which can be used as new fuel for specialized nuclear power plants.

What is the nuclear fuel cycle?

The nuclear fuel cycle is a multi-stage production process necessary for generating electricity using uranium in nuclear power reactors. This cycle begins with uranium mining and ends with the disposal of radioactive waste.

Nuclear waste

Nuclear power plant operations generate waste with varying levels of radioactivity. Depending on the level of radioactivity and the final purpose, different waste management strategies are used. For more information on this topic, watch the animated video below.

Radioactive waste management

Radioactive waste accounts for a small share of total waste. It is a byproduct of millions of medical procedures performed each year, industrial and agricultural radiation use, and the operation of nuclear reactors, which produce approximately 10 percent of the world's electricity. This animated video explains how radioactive waste is managed to protect people and the environment from radiation today and in the future.

When operating the next generation of nuclear power plants based on so-called innovative advanced reactors much less will be formed nuclear wastethan today's reactors. Construction of such plants is expected to begin closer to 2030.

Nuclear energy and climate change

Nuclear energy is a low-carbon energy source because, unlike power plants burning coal, oil, or natural gas, nuclear power plants produce virtually no CO2 during operation. Nuclear power plants generate nearly a third of the world's carbon-free electricity and are crucial to achieving climate change goals.

Read more about Read more about nuclear power and the transition to clean energy in this issue of the IAEA Bulletin.

What role does the IAEA play?

The IAEA establishes international norms and guidelines for the safe and secure use of nuclear energy to protect people and the environment and promotes their implementation. The IAEA supports existing and new nuclear power programs worldwide by offering technical assistance and knowledge management services. Following milestone approachThe IAEA provides essential technical expertise and advice to countries decommissioning their nuclear facilities. As part of its activities in the field guarantees and verification The IAEA ensures that nuclear materials and technologies are not diverted from peaceful uses to other purposes. It provides a methodological framework for organizing the necessary activities throughout the entire life cycle of nuclear energy production, from uranium mining to the construction, maintenance, and decommissioning of nuclear power plants and nuclear waste management. peer review missions and advisory services under the supervision of the IAEA. The IAEA manages the stockpile. low-enriched uranium (LEU) in Kazakhstan, which can be used in case of emergency by countries urgently needing supplies of LEU for peaceful purposes.

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An International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) team today visited a substance critical to nuclear safety and security in Ukraine and reported damage as a result of recently reported military activities, IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi said today.

Following reports of the damage caused, the IAEA promptly dispatched a team to one of the affected substances that had been targeted. The IAEA team conducted a thorough walkdown of the area, gaining immediate, first-hand insights into the damage and assessing its impact on the safety and security of Ukraine's nuclear power plants (NPPs).

The team confirmed the damage to the substance's equipment and determined that there was a negative impact to the reliability of the off-site power supply to Ukrainian NPPs, thus affecting nuclear safety and security.

“Attacks on Ukraine's power grid represent an ever-present danger to nuclear safety and security to all nuclear facilities in Ukraine,” Director General Grossi added.

While restoration activities on the power grid are on-going, one NPP remains without one of its off-site power lines and further repair work is needed. The IAEA will continue to monitor the situation.

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In early October, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) inaugurated the new M. C. Curie-L. Meitner Nuclear Applications Centre at its laboratories in Seibersdorf, marking the successful completion of the ReNuAL2 (Renovation of Nuclear Applications Laboratories) project. This project aimed to modernize the Agency's nuclear science and applications laboratories and strengthen scientific support to Member States in the peaceful uses of nuclear science and technology.

The new Nuclear Applications Centre—named after nuclear pioneers Marie Skłodowska-Curie and Lise Meitner—will provide state-of-the-art equipment to three of the IAEA's eight nuclear science and applications laboratories in Seibersdorf. The Terrestrial Radiochemistry Laboratory supports the fight against radioactive, industrial, and environmental pollutants. The Plant Breeding and Genetics Laboratory, one of five laboratories within the FAO/IAEA Agriculture and Biotechnology Laboratories in Seibersdorf, develops high-yielding and resilient crops, and the Nuclear Science and Instrumentation Laboratory helps countries apply a range of nuclear analytical techniques.

At the opening ceremony, attended by high-ranking officials and government representatives from 33 countries, IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi noted that the renovation of the laboratories is a major investment in the development of nuclear applications.

"This is not just a successful modernization; it was made possible by strategic thinking, dedication, and partnership," emphasized Director-General Grossi. "Thanks to the new M.C. Curie-L. Meitner Center, our scientists and partners from around the world will be able to collaborate, innovate, and develop practical solutions that will improve public health, food security, and environmental protection."

Completion of the ReNuAL2 project was made possible thanks to the active support of IAEA Member States and partners. A total of 52 Member States contributed extrabudgetary funds and also provided institutional and in-kind support through their governments and organizations. Their collective commitment and partnership played a significant role in transforming the Seibersdorf laboratories into a modern facility equipped to meet the growing needs of countries in the application of nuclear science and technology.

Mareike Wörrle, Minister-Counselor of the Federal Republic of Germany and Co-Chair of the Friends of ReNuAL organization, noted: "We are proud of the applied scientific work carried out in the laboratories in Seibersdorf. We share a common goal: to serve people by collaborating to solve common problems."

The IAEA's Nuclear Applications Laboratories in Seibersdorf, located about an hour's drive from Vienna, were built in 1959 to support the Agency's work in assisting Member States in the peaceful applications of nuclear technology through training, services and applied research.

“This is an example of how science and innovation are helping our Member States address global challenges by making agriculture and food systems more efficient, inclusive, resilient, and sustainable,” said FAO Director-General Qu Dongyu. “FAO is committed to our long-term partnership with the IAEA and the Joint FAO/IAEA Centre, which ensures that innovation brings real benefits to people. This is a vital partnership. Together, we achieve greater results, working within the UN system for the benefit of our Member States.”

In addition, within the framework of the ReNuAL2 project, in addition to the new M. S. Curie and L. Meitner Centre, new modern greenhouses were built to improve climate-smart agriculture and water management methods, and a completely renovated facility for Dosimetry laboratory to help fight cancer and improve the safety of radiation therapy for patients.

"The successful completion of the ReNuAL2 project is a significant milestone for the Agency," said Lunga Bengu, Deputy Permanent Representative of South Africa to the UN Office at Vienna. "I am honored to express my appreciation to all Member States for their contributions and tireless efforts to address challenges and achieve significant advances in the peaceful uses of nuclear science and applications for the common good."

The ceremony took place shortly after discoveries On September 17, the new IAEA Visitor Centre in Seibersdorf, Austria, unique spaces where visitors can learn about the Agency's mission and how nuclear science and technology help solve global problems.

"I've visited this center twice in the last two weeks," said Gabriela Zellner, Permanent Representative of Austria to the UN Office in Vienna. "This is clear evidence of the IAEA's active work in Seibersdorf. Austria is very proud that IAEA laboratories have been successfully operating in our country since 1962."

Please note: This information is raw content obtained directly from the source. It represents an accurate account of the source's assertions and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

Source: International Atomic Energy Agency –

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The Zaporizhzhya Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP) was successfully re-connected to Ukraine's electrical grid today after a month-long outage, following repairs carried out under the protection of a local ceasefire negotiated by the IAEA and observed by its teams on the ground, Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi said.

The restoration of off-site power to Europe's largest nuclear power plant – for the past several years located on the frontline of the military conflict – marks a significant positive step as last month's loss of all external electricity supplies had further stoked concerns about the fragile nuclear safety and security situation at the site.

"Today is a rare, good day for nuclear safety and security in Ukraine and beyond, although the overall situation of course remains highly precarious. After exactly one month without any off-site power, the Zaporizhzhya Nuclear Power Plant is once again receiving the external electricity it needs to cool its six reactors and spent fuel," Director General Grossi said.

"Since the plant was disconnected from its last off-site power line on September 23, we have been working intensively with the Russian Federation and Ukraine to create the necessary security conditions for repairs to be carried out on both sides of the frontline. Despite the war, they both agreed that it was vital to restore off-site power and cooperated constructively with us to make that happen," he said.

In the reconnection process followed by an IAEA team on the ground and from the ZNPP's electrical control room, the newly repaired 750 kilovolt (kV) Dniprovska power line was energized by the Ukrainian grid operator at 09:30 local time and the ZNPP 750kV switchyard was fully powered two minutes later. The ZNPP then began gradually restoring power to its six reactor units and the remainder of the site.

At 13:00 local time off-site power was restored to the whole ZNPP site and the last of the emergency diesel generators – that had supplied back-up power for the past 30 days – was turned off, ending the tenth and by far the longest complete loss of off-site power suffered by the plant during the conflict.

"What was once virtually unimaginable – a nuclear power plant regularly losing off-site power – has unfortunately become a common occurrence during this devastating war. However, this was the most challenging loss of power event we have experienced so far. I would especially like to extend my thanks to the technicians – on both sides of the frontline – who have been working hard in recent days to restore power in very difficult circumstances," Director General Grossi said.

Under IAEA monitoring, work to repair the Dniprovska and another damaged power line – Ferosplavna-1 – got underway last weekend after the establishment of temporary ceasefire zones on opposite sides of the Dnipro River. As both zones are in an active combat area, de-mining specialists conducted extensive clearance work before the actual repairs could begin.

The IAEA team based at the ZNPP monitored the work at the damaged section of the Dniprovska line, where technicians replaced several broken cables before re-attaching them to the transmission towers. A damaged metal support arm of one transmission tower was also replaced, and new insulators were installed in several towers.

The IAEA is continuing to coordinate with both sides to pave the way for further repairs of the 330 kV Ferosplavna-1 line, where additional damage outside the ceasefire zone was identified this week. The IAEA was informed that two broken transmission cables were found 1.8km from the electrical switchyard of the Zaporizhzhya Thermal Power Plant, located near the ZNPP.

Before the conflict, the ZNPP had access to ten power lines. In recent years, that was reduced to two, of which Ferosplavna-1 was lost on 7 May while the Dniprovska line was disconnected late last month. Both sides blamed the damage on military activity.

The plant's six reactors have not produced electricity for more than three years and have been shut down but they still require power to run their cooling pumps and for other nuclear safety and security equipment. Over the past month, the plant has relied on emergency diesel generators for the electricity it needs.

"There is still much work to do to further reduce the risks of a nuclear accident. The next step is to complete the repairs of the Ferosplavna-1 power line and then to prevent future loss of power events," Director General Grossi said.

“I once again call for full compliance with the IAEA's Five Concrete Principles to prevent a nuclear accident at the Zaporizhzhya Nuclear Power Plant. The third principle states that off-site power to the plant should not be put at risk and that all efforts should be made to ensure that off-site power always remains available and secure,” he said. “The IAEA will continue its indispensable work at the Zaporizhzhya Nuclear Power Plant and the other nuclear sites in Ukraine until this war is destructive is over.”

Please note: This information is raw content obtained directly from the source. It represents an accurate account of the source's assertions and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.