WANO members gather in Gyeongju to consider challenges of the future
Press Release
15 March 2018
- Support for new units, young generation prioritised
- Revised long term plan published
At its fourteenth Biennial General Meeting (BGM), held in Gyeongju, South Korea, members of the World Association of Nuclear Operators (WANO) came together under the theme of 'Leading Nuclear Safety in a Changing World' to discuss the challenges the industry faces over the coming years.
Corporate leadership, knowledge transfer to the 'young generation' and providing the necessary support to new units entering operations were among the subjects under discussion during the meeting, which was attended by more than 300 experts from the WANO membership and other industry organisations. The Association also launched a revision to its long-term plan, Compass, reflecting the changes to the industry landscape that have taken place in the two years since its inception.
WANO CEO, Peter Prozesky, said:
"It is inspiring to see members come together as 'One WANO', with the aim of supporting each other in the journey towards excellence in nuclear safety. These three days in Gyeongju have demonstrated the industry's ongoing commitment to the highest possible safety standards and to the vital task of supporting one another as peers to improve performance. While the nuclear landscape is changing and remains challenging, WANO has adjusted its course to enable it to provide the most targeted and effective support to its members."
During the extraordinary general meeting (EGM) on Monday 16 October, the membership voted in Mr Simone Rossi, incoming CEO of EDF Energy as incoming WANO President. The outgoing CEO of EDF Energy, Mr Vincent de Rivaz, addressed the delegates on Mr Rossi's behalf and formally invited them to the 2019 BGM, to be hosted in London, England.
At a special dinner to be held this evening, this year's nine winners of the industry's prestigious Nuclear Excellence Awards will be recognised for their career-long dedication to nuclear safety.
In closing the conference, the WANO Chairman, Jacques Régaldo, concluded:
"In choosing to belong to WANO, we must continue to demonstrate that we are able and willing to overcome our differences. We have to demonstrate every day that this venture transcends borders, local economic considerations and geopolitical tensions. Nuclear safety requires us to put aside individual interests in favour of solidarity and the common good. For everybody, experienced operators, developing countries, newcomers – WANO is our common home."