Safety of Radioactive Waste Management: International Conference in Spain Seeks Broad Platform of Consensus Among Experts and Regulators

The safe management of radioactive waste is a critical issue in the minds of politicians, decision-makers and the public at large. Such waste typically comes not only from nuclear power plants but also from using radionuclides in industry, research and medicine. Building international consensus on safety of waste management is thus an important element for future uses of nuclear energy in its various applications.

To provide a forum for information exchange and in particular for discussion of safety issues, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) is organizing a conference hosted by the Government of Spain in Córdoba, 13–17 March 2000, in cooperation with the European Commission, the World Health Organization and the Nuclear Energy Agency of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development.

safety issues in the siting of waste management facilities; safety in establishing near surface and deep geological repositories; the management of disused radioactive sources; and transboundary movement of radioactive waste.

While targeted at a broad spectrum of experts in waste management, specialists who develop or apply safety standards, and Government officials including regulators and policy-makers, the entire Conference is open to the media.