Global Site Vice Presidents and Plant Managers meet at Key Nuclear Industry Conference in Kyoto, Japan
Press Release
28 September 2023
WANO hosted its fifth Site Vice Presidents’ and Plant Managers’ Conference in Kyoto, Japan from Wednesday 27 to Thursday 28 September 2023. More than 130 delegates from 23 different countries and areas worldwide convened to attend the biennial event.
Due to the restrictions during the pandemic, the conference was the first face-to-face, physical meeting for these senior nuclear plant leaders since the conference was held in Bucharest, Romania in 2018. The event took place in a warm and convivial atmosphere, with delegates demonstrating a united desire to share information, network and support each other to help member stations and the industry as whole improve performance.
With a theme of Unity – Working Together to Improve Global Industry Performance, the conference shared speakers and discussions on key challenges and opportunities for the industry. It was also the opportunity for delegates to reaffirm their commitment to WANO’s mission and its long-term strategy Unity - Towards Nuclear Excellence: 2023-2030 and beyond, and review the progress of the industry-led improvement initiative, Action for Excellence – Shaping the Nuclear Future.
Dr Naoki Chigusa, WANO’s Chief Executive Officer, stated: “I am delighted that participants came together from around the world to support each other, share information and best practices, and to network together. Our shared vision is to unite a competitive industry into a community of nuclear operators that is cohesive, highly collaborative, and fully committed to safe and reliable nuclear plant operations. These delegates are leaders who have significant influence on the operations of the world’s commercial nuclear power plants. Working together, we will shape a positive future the industry - as a safe, reliable generator of low carbon electricity for many decades to come.”
The conference featured a session that explained the key strategic goals of WANO’s long-term plan, Unity Towards Nuclear Excellence, which will help enable improved industry performance. Speakers from WANO also explained the Association’s new operating model and integrated suite of services and how they will benefit member stations and facilities to achieve and sustain excellent performance.
Further sessions included a station improvement session, a panel discussion on how members are improving performance with WANO’s support, and another panel session on the key role of the WANO Representative in helping drive performance at member plants and facilities.