PRESS RELEASE

March 21, 2024

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

GLOBAL PARTNERSHIP ISSUES DECLARATION AT THE NUCLEAR ENERGY SUMMIT

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), Energy Communities Alliance (ECA) and Canadian Association of Nuclear Host Communities (CANHC) 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.