1. BACKGROUND

It is widely recognised that global energy demand will rise substantially during this century. The increased industrialisation and urbanisation of developing countries will produce large increases in energy demand in regions that currently have very low per capita energy use. This increasing demand for energy will need to be met in order to improve living standards for at least half of the world’s population and to reduce the economic imbalances between countries and regions.

At the same time the use of fossil fuel based energy is identified as a major cause of environmental damage. The release of greenhouse gases from burning of fossil fuel in power stations and for transport is seen as a contributor to global warming. It is widely recognised that continued exploitation of fossil fuels and release of carbon dioxide will need to be controlled.

After a prolonged period of slow development of nuclear power, confined to some countries in the world, it is now being recognised that nuclear energy has a potentially significant role to play in meeting the energy needs of the planet without damaging the environment. Developments in technology make the economics of nuclear power more attractive, and they may become even more so as fossil fuel prices continue to rise.

For a widespread use of nuclear power, however, there remain concerns on the safety, security, waste and proliferation aspects. The global application of safety standards and appropriate security measures are required to ensure acceptable levels of protection. Effective control measures are required to ensure that non-proliferation commitments are honoured. Handling nuclear waste safely and securely is achievable, but continues to remain as a public concern.

The Conference is being held at the ministerial level to discuss policy issues on the future of nuclear power.

2. OBJECTIVE OF THE CONFERENCE

The broad strategic objectives of the Conference are the following:

• to review the role of nuclear power and to define the potential benefits (energy security, sustainability and improved environmental protection) that expanding nuclear power offers to meet the increasing energy needs of the world
• to facilitate a discussion on the issue of nuclear energy and society involving experts and decision makers.

3. SCOPE AND MAJOR ISSUES OF THE CONFERENCE

The conference will provide a platform for discussion of the future role of nuclear energy. It will enable many interested Governments and other parties to present and discuss the future of nuclear energy. Senior Government Ministers will present their national views on the need for and future of nuclear power.

The Conference will also include sessions to discuss major issues as follows:

• World energy needs and resources
• Environmental challenges of the 21st Century
• Driving factors for strategies and choices
• Governance issues.

4. PARTICIPATION

Participants are expected to be Ministers and senior level advisors, or representatives of organisations that can make or influence energy related decisions. Around 200 participants are expected.

All persons wishing to participate in the conference must complete a Participation Form (see attached Form A) and send it as soon as possible to the competent official authority (Ministry of Foreign Affairs or national atomic energy authority) for subsequent transmission to the IAEA. A participant will be accepted only if the Participation Form is transmitted through the government of a Member State of the IAEA or by an organization invited to participate.

Participants whose official designations have been received by the IAEA will receive further information on the Conference approximately two months before the meeting.

This information will also be posted on the web page.

5. VENUE

The Conference will take place at the Centre de Conférences “Pierre Mendès France”, 129 rue de Bercy, 75012 Paris, France.

6. EXPENDITURES

No registration fee is charged to participants.

As a general rule, the IAEA does not pay the cost of attendance, such as travel and living expenses, of participants. This is particularly relevant for this meeting where only senior representatives are expected to attend. However, limited funds may be available to help meet the cost of attendance of selected representatives mainly from developing countries with low economic resources. Generally, not more than one grant will be awarded to any one country.

Governments wishing to apply for a grant on behalf of a participant should address specific requests to the IAEA Secretariat. Governments should ensure that applications for grants:

(a) are submitted by 20 January 2005;
(b) are accompanied by a duly completed and signed Grant Application Form (Form C) (attached).

Applications that do not comply with conditions (a) and (b) cannot be considered.

The grants awarded will be in the form of lump sums that usually cover only part of the cost of attendance.

7. CONFERENCE PROCEEDINGS

The proceedings of the meeting will be published by the IAEA as soon as possible after the meeting. All participants will receive a free copy of the proceedings.

8. WORKING LANGUAGES

The working languages of the conference will be all official IAEA languages, English, French, Russian, Chinese, Arabic and Spanish.

9. DISTRIBUTION OF DOCUMENTS

A preliminary programme of the conference will be sent to the participants and placed on the web site before the meeting. The final programme will be available at registration.

10. ACCOMMODATION

Detailed information on accommodation and other administrative matters will be available on the conference web page.

11. VISAS

Designated participants who require a visa to enter France should submit the necessary application(s) to the nearest diplomatic or consular representative of France as early as possible but at least one month before the meeting.

12. SECRETARIAT

The address of the Secretariat is:

International Atomic Energy Agency
IAEA-CN-122
Vienna International Centre
P.O. Box 100
Wagramer Strasse 5
A-1400 Vienna, Austria
Telephone No.: +43 1 2600 plus extension or 0 for operator
Telefax No.: +43 1 26007
Electronic mail: official.mail@iaea.org

The Scientific Secretaries of the Conference are Mr R. I. Facer, Division of Nuclear Power (telephone extension 22806) and Mr R. Swaminathan, Office of External Relations and Policy Coordination (telephone extension 21259). Conference organization is provided by Ms M. Solarik-Leahy, Conference Services Section, Division of Conference and Document Services (telephone extension 21321).

13. CHANNELS OF COMMUNICATION

The Participation Form (Form A) and, if applicable, the Grant Application Form (Form C), should be sent to the competent national authority (Ministry of Foreign Affairs or national atomic energy authority) for official transmission to the IAEA.

Subsequent correspondence on scientific matters should be sent to the Scientific Secretaries and correspondence on administrative matters to the IAEA Conference Services Section.

Scientific Secretariat of the Conference:

Mr. R. I. Facer
Division of Nuclear Power
International Atomic Energy Agency
P.O. Box 100
Wagramer Strasse 5
A-1400 Vienna, Austria

Telephone No.:	(+ 43 1) 2600 22806
Telefax No.:	(+ 43 1) 2600 7
E-mail:	R.I.Facer@iaea.org
E-mail address for paper submission:

Mr. R. Swaminathan
Office of External Relations and Policy Co-ordination
International Atomic Energy Agency
P.O. Box 100
Wagramer Strasse 5
A-1400 Vienna, Austria

Telephone No.:	(+ 43 1) 2600 21253
Telefax No.:	(+ 43 1) 2600 7
E-mail:	R.Swaminathan@iaea.org

Administration and organization:

Ms. M. Solarik-Leahy
Division of Conference and Document Services
Conference Services Section
IAEA-CN-122
International Atomic Energy Agency
P.O. Box 100
Wagramer Strasse 5
A-1400 Vienna, Austria

Telephone No.:	(+ 43 1) 2600 21321
Telefax No.:	(+ 43 1) 2600 7
E-mail:	M.Solarik-Leahy@iaea.org