IAEA Nuclear Power Ministerial Conference Opens in South Korea With 60 Nations

An international ministerial conference on nuclear power opened in Incheon, South Korea, on October 27, bringing officials and industry representatives together for three days of discussions on nuclear technology, regulation and energy security.

The meeting, organised with the International Atomic Energy Agency, is being held in South Korea for the first time. Organisers expect about 800 participants, with representation from 60 member states, eight international organisations and roughly 85 companies. The programme runs through October 29 at Songdo Convensia.

South Korean Science Minister Bae Kyung-hoon, who chairs the meeting, called for stronger international coordination on the safe expansion of nuclear power. His remarks focused on nuclear safety, physical security and non-proliferation, alongside the possible contribution of low-carbon electricity to rising demand from data centres and advanced manufacturing.

South Korea is using the gathering to promote its ambitions in small modular reactors, or SMRs, and nuclear equipment manufacturing. The country plans to discuss the safe development and demonstration of smaller reactors, potential maritime applications and the use of artificial intelligence to improve plant operations. These are policy and industry objectives, not announcements that new reactors have received final construction approval.

IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi addressed the conference by video after cancelling his planned visit. He highlighted growing expectations for nuclear generating capacity and urged governments to maintain existing facilities safely while considering future investment.

The event also follows a South Korea–United States nuclear industry dialogue held on October 26, aimed at exploring cooperation among companies and institutions. Participants at the ministerial conference will discuss technology, regulation and financing, but the opening itself does not establish binding investment commitments or a new international treaty.