The event, which was co-hosted by the French Government and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), marked the second global summit on civilian nuclear energy, following the first meeting held in Brussels, Belgium, in 2024. It brought together leaders from nearly 60 countries as well as representatives of international organizations, financial institutions, companies and leading experts in the energy sector.
Opening the summit, French President Emmanuel Macron said nuclear power is playing an increasingly important role in the energy strategies of many countries, particularly as global electricity demand rises rapidly alongside the development of digital technologies and artificial intelligence. Nuclear power, he said, can provide stable, large-scale electricity with low carbon emissions, helping ensure energy security and support the energy transition.
Meanwhile, IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi stressed that nuclear power could make a considerable contribution to achieving global climate goals. To reach carbon neutrality by the middle of this century, he said, the world will need to substantially expand nuclear power capacity in parallel with the development of renewable energy sources, while ensuring that civilian nuclear programmes strictly comply with international standards on safety, security and nuclear non-proliferation.
At the summit, participants discussed a range of issues concerning the future of nuclear power, including the development of next-generation reactors, the promotion of small modular reactor technologies, strengthening nuclear fuel supply chains and mobilizing financing for large-scale energy projects. Many speakers said combining nuclear power with renewable energy sources could help build energy systems that are stable, low-emission and more sustainable over the long term.
Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of the summit, Nguyen Hoang Linh, Director General of the Vietnam Agency for Radiation and Nuclear Safety, said Vietnam’s participation showed its interest in and support for international initiatives promoting the development and application of atomic energy for peaceful purposes, particularly in nuclear power. The event also provided an opportunity for Vietnam to exchange experience, learn from international partners and expand cooperation in the field of atomic energy.
Nguyen Hoang Linh said nuclear power is a clean and stable energy source with low carbon emissions, in line with Vietnam’s energy development orientation as electricity demand continues to rise. It also contributes to the country’s goal of achieving net-zero emissions by 2050 under the Government’s commitment.
According to Linh, on the sidelines of the summit the Vietnamese delegation held meetings with international organizations, nuclear regulatory agencies, and energy partners to exchange experience, promote professional training, share information and strengthen technical cooperation. These activities aim to enhance Vietnam’s capacity in nuclear safety and security management as well as regulatory assessment.
The delegation also held discussions with the OECD Nuclear Energy Agency and France’s Autorité de sûreté nucléaire et de radioprotection to discuss stronger cooperation in improving the capacity of Vietnam’s regulatory body in safety and security assessment and the development of legal and regulatory frameworks, particularly new regulations related to advanced nuclear reactor technologies, including small modular reactors, as well as the management, licensing and safety oversight of nuclear facilities.
In addition, the Vietnamese delegation met with several major French companies and organizations in the nuclear energy sector to learn about their experience in building technical infrastructure and conducting safety assessments during the implementation of nuclear power projects. The exchanges are expected to strengthen energy cooperation between Vietnam and France as the two countries continue to advance their comprehensive strategic partnership.
According to the Director General of the Vietnam Agency for Radiation and Nuclear Safety, Vietnam has actively participated in working groups and specialized committees of the OECD Nuclear Energy Agency in recent years. Through this engagement, the country has gradually gained access to methods for evaluating and assessing the safety of new nuclear power technologies.
Such participation helps Vietnam learn from international experience and move closer to international standards in developing and improving its nuclear safety regulatory framework. The country is also studying international experience in developing legal and regulatory systems for advanced nuclear technologies, particularly small modular reactors.
Participation in international cooperation initiatives in this field is expected to help Vietnam access management experience, technical standards and safety assessment procedures, supporting the country’s preparation for nuclear power development in the coming years.