Multilateral Cooperation
The Office of Nuclear Energy participates in:
- Generation IV International Forum (GIF)
- International Framework for Nuclear Energy Cooperation (IFNEC)
- Nuclear Energy Agency (NEA)
- International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)
Generation IV International Forum (GIF)
GIF was chartered in 2001 to lead the collaborative efforts of the world's leading nuclear nations to develop next generation nuclear energy systems to meet future global energy needs. The Office of Nuclear Energy played a key role in reaching a major milestone in 2005 when Canada, France, Japan, the United Kingdom and the United States signed the GIF Framework Agreement, the world's first agreement aimed at the international development of advanced nuclear energy systems. The GIF Policy Group is responsible for the overall framework, policy formation and interactions with third parties. The Group meets two to three times a year to review past activities, provide guidance to the Experts Group and Systems Steering Committees and determine future program direction. INEPC supports U.S. participation in the Policy Group. 1
The Generation IV International Forum Response to the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant Accident is available here.
U.S. delegation in Argentina for the U.S.-Argentina Joint Standing Committee for Nuclear Energy Cooperation meeting, April 2008
International Framework for Nuclear Energy Cooperation (IFNEC)
International Framework for Nuclear Energy Cooperation (IFNEC) is a forum of states that share the common vision of the safe and secure development of nuclear energy for peaceful purposes worldwide. The International Framework consists of over 25 participant countries, 3 permanent international observers, and over 31 observer countries. IFNEC has two working groups: one which considers infrastructure development matters and another which examines issues of reliable nuclear fuel services. The Office of International Nuclear Energy Policy and Cooperation plays an active role in developing and implementing the strategy, agenda, background papers and other support for major IFNEC events. For more information on IFNEC, please visit: www.ifnec.org.
International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)
Activities with IAEA include the International Project on Innovative Nuclear Reactors and Fuel Cycles (INPRO), an open international forum for studying nuclear energy options, associated requirements and potential deployment in IAEA Member States. The Office of International Nuclear Energy Policy and Cooperation also helps facilitate the Department of Energy's role at the IAEA General Conference, which meets once per year in Vienna, Austria.
1 The thirteen charter members of GIF are Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Euratom, France, Japan, Republic of China, Republic of Korea, the Russian Federation, Republic of South Africa, Switzerland, the United Kingdom and the United States. Of these, Argentina, Brazil and the Russian Federation have not ratified the Framework Agreement and are therefore considered inactive.
