Experts at Atomexpo 2019 in Sochi, Russia called for use of nuclear energy to ensure sustainable development.
The nuclear experts gathering at the 11th edition of the international atomic energy forum-Atomexpo 2019, held in Sochi, Russia expressed their opinion in favour of atomic energy for sustainability of growth, according to a statement received here on Thursday.
Rosatom, state nuclear energy corporation of Russia, organised Atomexpo with this year’s theme ‘Nuclear for Better Life’.
The two-day forum held on April 15 and 16 was participated by over 3,600 participants from 74 countries including Bangladesh.
Bangladesh delegation was led by Architect Yeafesh Osman, minister for science and technology.
In the seminars and the roundtables organised during the Atomexpo participants discussed application of nuclear technologies that will open up new opportunities for the development of agriculture, medicine, creation of unique materials, exploration of space and the Arctic Region, as well as strengthen the energy base of the economy.
“The widespread use of nuclear technologies has become an important factor in achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals. It has become an integral part of the entire world community’s work towards improving the quality of life, reaching prosperity, and building a responsible attitude to the environment,” said Alexey Likhachev, Director General, Rosatom while addressing the opening ceremony of the international forum.
“More and more countries are coming to the realization that developing nuclear technologies is an absolute must. After all, such technologies are irreplaceable in achieving humankind’s sustainable development goals,” said Sergei Kiriyenko, First Deputy Chief of Staff of the Presidential Executive Office of the Russian Federation and Chairman of the Supervisory Board of Rosatom State Atomic Energy Corporation.
According to an International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) report, over 1.1 billion people in the world lack access to electricity and 2.9 billion people lack clean cooking facilities (i.e. facilities that do not use firewood). To give this population access to clean energy and at the same time fight the climate change nuclear energy can play the key role, participating experts opined.
Director General of World Nuclear Association Agneta Rising called for more investments in the field.
He said, “Global carbon emissions jumped to an all-time high in 2018. It happened at such a time when the latest IPCC (Inter-Governmental Panel on Climate Change) report says that emissions must be cut almost immediately, investment in alternatives to fossil fuels, particularly nuclear, needs to be increased substantially.”
