The IAEA Department of Nuclear Energy will host its regular Operators' Forum and three side events during the 70th IAEA General Conference, to be held in Vienna from 14 to 18 September 2026. Programmes of the side events will be published on this page as they become available.
Nuclear Operators' Forum: Microreactors: Shaping New Operating Landscape and Applications
This side event will showcase international activities on microreactor development and deployment through a moderated panel discussion with industries and technical experts. The session will examine key design features, emerging technologies, fuel and deployment concepts, practical considerations related to installation, operation and lessons learned from ongoing projects. Attention will be given to the growing diversity of microreactor designs, the dynamics of the development landscape, and how real‑world applications, societal considerations and market expectations are influencing technology choices. The event aims to inform Member States, end users, developers, owner-operators and regulators on the role of microreactors in future nuclear operations.
This event will be held on Thursday, 17 September 2026, from 10.30 a.m. to 12.30 p.m. in Conference Room CR3, C Building, seventh floor.
International Cooperation on NORM Management and Sustainable Solutions
The side event aims to raise awareness of holistic naturally occurring radioactive material (NORM) residue management, highlight practical approaches for characterization, inventory development, and management, and explore opportunities for reuse and resource recovery aligned with circular economy principles. It will foster dialogue among stakeholders to strengthen international cooperation and showcase the role of the IAEA. Key topics include global NORM sources and volumes, industrial challenges, resource recovery and circular economy applications, decommissioning challenges, and international collaboration and support mechanisms.
This event will be held on Tuesday, 15 September 2026, from 10.30 a.m. to 11.30 a.m. in Conference Room M4, M Building, ground floor.
Building the Next Generation of Nuclear Leaders: The African Experience
This side event will explore how leadership development is supporting the sustainable growth of the global nuclear sector, with a particular focus on Africa's emerging nuclear power programmes. Drawing on IAEA-supported initiatives and Member State experiences, experts will discuss human performance, workforce development, knowledge transfer, youth engagement, and the impact of advanced nuclear technologies and artificial intelligence on the nuclear workforce and the sector. Through micro-presentations, expert panel discussions and audience interaction, participants will examine practical approaches to building resilient, future-ready nuclear organizations and cultivating the next generation of nuclear leaders.
This event will be held on Thursday, 17 September 2026, from 3.00 p.m. to 4.30 p.m. in Conference Room M6, M Building, ground floor.
Expanding Financing Pathways for Nuclear Energy Projects
The IAEA projects nuclear energy capacity reaching nearly 1 TW by 2050; to unlock this level of deployment will require a rethinking of investment strategies, and significant mobilisation of both public and private capital is needed. A growing array of financing measures are now being adapted or newly applied to nuclear energy projects.
This event will explore emerging approaches to financing and risk mitigation for nuclear energy projects, ranging from engagement with Multilateral Development Banks to sustainable finance instruments and carbon markets.
This event will be held on Thursday, 17 September 2026, from 4.00 p.m. to 5.00 p.m. in Conference Room M4, M Building, ground floor.
