GLOBAL PARTNERSHIP ISSUES DECLARATION AT THE NUCLEAR ENERGY SUMMIT
PRESS RELEASE
March 21, 2024
Belgium – On March 21, 2024, government leaders and representatives from nuclear industry and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) are gathering in Brussels for the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and Belgian government’s Nuclear Energy Summit, the world’s highest-level meeting on nuclear energy. The founding members of the Global Partnership of Nuclear Communities - municipal governments from eighteen (18) countries represented by Group of European Municipalities with Nuclear Facilities (GMF Europe)1, Energy Communities Alliance (ECA)2 and Canadian Association of Nuclear Host Communities (CANHC)3 are participating in the meeting.
Climate Change and the IAEA’s work supporting clean energy development in local communities creates the need for this Summit that brings together municipal governments, industry, national governments
The Declaration of the Global Partnership of Nuclear Communities released at the meeting highlights the role of local governments and their communities in nuclear development as partners of the industry and government. GMF Europe’s President the Mayor of Borsele in the Netherlands, Mr. Gerben Dijksterhuis will highlight the Declaration during his presentation at the Summit on behalf of the Global Partnership.
Collaboration with International Organizations: We commit to collaborating with international organizations like the IAEA to educate and coordinate with municipal governments hosting or interested in hosting nuclear facilities.
Community Engagement: We call on national and regional levels of government in all countries considering nuclear facilities to actively listen to local communities, engage in early dialogue, provide resources for participation, and establish partnerships throughout the decision-making, development, operations, closure and decommissioning phases of a nuclear project;
Industry Collaboration: We encourage the nuclear industry to build trust with municipal governments and local communities by working collaboratively, communicating transparently, and promoting the socio-economic development of the region; Sustainable Community Development: We welcome nuclear facilities that contribute to the long-term social and economic well-being of the host community and the region, becoming an integral part of the social and economic fabric of the community;
Support of Regulatory Authorities: We support the regulatory authorities as they engage effectively with local stakeholders to ensure the safe and secure construction and operation of nuclear facilities and the protection of people and the environment from the harmful effects of radiation, now and in the future;
Global Partnership Expansion: We invite municipal governments and other associations of municipal governments from around the world to join the Global Partnership to strengthen our collective voice and expertise in responsible nuclear energy development; and
Review Mechanisms: We encourage the periodic review of host community agreements as well as the review of progress toward the commitments of this Pledge on an annual basis.
Global Partnership Meets at the European Parliament
In addition, yesterday the founding members of the Global Partnership of Nuclear Communities along with representatives of South Korea met at the European Parliament to discuss the expansion of the Global Partnership to include South Korea local municipalities.
Pictured: Members of the Global Partnership with Member of European Parliament Franc Bogovič, IAEA, and Canada’s AECL.
Declaration of the Global Partnership of Nuclear Communities
Declaration of the Global Partnership of Nuclear Communities as developed within the framework of the first Nuclear Energy Summit organized on 21 March 2024 by the International Atomic Energy Agency and the Belgian presidency of the Council of the European Union.
Preamble
WHEREAS, municipal governments represent communities hosting or interested in hosting nuclear facilities from around the world are working closely together to educate their communities and advocate for their communities’ interests; and
WHEREAS, we recognize the growing role of nuclear energy in addressing global clean energy needs, enhancing energy security and independence, and boosting economic development; and
WHEREAS, the deployment and operation of nuclear technologies must be safe, secure and sustainable; and
WHEREAS, the IAEA’s work supporting clean energy development in local communities creates a forum that brings together municipal governments, industry, national governments and others to facilitate the sharing of successes and promotion of lessons learned; and
WHEREAS, because all nuclear facilities have a local impact, elected municipal government representatives play a crucial role in hosting nuclear projects which in turn generate major regional economic activity with socially significant benefits, thus contributing to community well-being; and
WHEREAS, the IAEA’s five key principles throughout the life cycle of all nuclear facilities: 1) building trust; 2) demonstrating accountability; 3) exhibiting open and transparent communication; 4) practicing early and frequent consultation and 5) communicating benefits and risks are fundamental to integrating a nuclear facility into its community; and
WHEREAS, though municipalities may have differences in their structures, capacities and cultures, municipalities of the Global Partnership will always share common goals and aspirations.
Declaration
THEREFORE, WE, THE FOUNDING MEMBERS OF THE GLOBAL PARTNERSHIP do hereby declare the following:
Collaboration with International Organizations: We commit to collaborating with international organizations like the IAEA to educate and coordinate with municipal governments hosting or interested in hosting nuclear facilities. We will share experiences and work together to enhance our capacities in managing and engaging with nuclear projects, acknowledging the unique circumstances of each government;
Community Engagement: We call on national and regional levels of government in all countries considering nuclear facilities to actively listen to local communities, engage in early dialogue, provide resources for participation, and establish partnerships throughout the decision-making, development, operations, closure and decommissioning phases of a nuclear project;
Industry Collaboration: We encourage the nuclear industry to build trust with municipal governments and local communities by working collaboratively, communicating transparently, and promoting the socio-economic development of the region;
Sustainable Community Development: We welcome nuclear facilities that contribute to the long-term social and economic well-being of the host community and the region, becoming an integral part of the social and economic fabric of the community;
Support of Regulatory Authorities: We support the regulatory authorities as they engage effectively with local stakeholders to ensure the safe and secure construction and operation of nuclear facilities and the protection of people and the environment from the harmful effects of radiation, now and in the future;
Global Partnership Expansion: We invite municipal governments and other associations of municipal governments from around the world to join the Global Partnership to strengthen our collective voice and expertise in responsible nuclear energy development; and
Review Mechanisms: We encourage the periodic review of host community agreements as well as the review of progress toward the commitments of this Pledge on an annual basis.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the founding members of the Global Partnership have hereunto signed this declaration on this 21 of March 2024.
1 GMF Europe members include municipalities from: Belgium, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Finland, France, Hungary, Netherlands, Norway, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Ukraine, United Kingdom.
2 ECA members include municipalities from the United States of America.
3 CANHC members include municipalities from Canada.