London, 21 June 2010

The Global Nuclear Energy Partnership Steering Group met in Accra, Ghana on June 16-17, 2010, and approved unanimously several transformative changes to reflect global developments that have occurred since the Partnership was established in 2007.  The transformation includes a new name – the International Framework for Nuclear Energy Cooperation -- and the establishment of a new Statement of Mission. Participants in this new International Framework agreed that this transformation was necessary to provide a broader scope with wider international participation to more effectively explore the most important issues underlying the use and expansion of nuclear energy worldwide.

The Steering Group addressed follow-up actions to the International Framework’s Executive Committee Meeting that occurred in Beijing on October 23, 2009, including ways to further enhance its activities, such as exchanges of views on approaches to assurances of fuel supply and cradle-to-grave nuclear fuel management.  Jordan formally announced that it will host the next meeting of the International Framework’s Executive Committee in the fall of 2010.

The International Framework’s expert-based working groups on infrastructure development and reliable nuclear fuel services provided reports on progress made to date as well as planned near-term activities.  The Reliable Nuclear Fuel Services Working Group outgoing Chair from the United States reported on work regarding approaches for selecting back-end fuel cycle options, lessons learned and resource requirements, and introduced the incoming Chair from France.  The Infrastructure Development Working Group, currently co-chaired by the United Kingdom and the United States, reported on its progress regarding human resource development, effective radioactive management strategies, small modular reactors, financing options, engagement with specialist organizations and identifying infrastructure requirements for an international nuclear fuel services framework.

This was the International Framework’s first meeting in Africa, and included representatives from the following countries and organizations: Algeria, Argentina, Australia, Bulgaria, Canada, China, Czech Republic, Egypt, France, Germany, Ghana, Italy, Japan, Jordan, Republic of Korea, Morocco, Netherlands, Nigeria, Romania, Russian Federation, Senegal, Slovak Republic, Spain, Ukraine, United Kingdom, United States, the Generation IV International Forum and the International Atomic Energy Agency.

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