Finnish Minister Mykkänen to attend IAEA General Conference in Vienna

Helsinki, 26 September 2023

Minister of Climate and the Environment Kai Mykkänen will attend the General Conference of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) on 27 September 2023. The Conference will be held in Vienna this week. Mykkänen will deliver Finland’s national statement at the Conference on Wednesday.

In connection with the Conference, Kai Mykkänen will meet IAEA’s Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi to discuss the agency’s current affairs.

Moreover, Mykkänen will speak at a scientific forum on nuclear energy organised alongside the General Conference. The topic of his speech is ‘How Finland uses Innovation in Nuclear Power Production and Disposal in moving towards Net Zero’.

“Prime Minister Orpo’s Government Programme states that Finland needs more nuclear power. It also recognises the need to promote the role of nuclear power, especially at the EU level. It is important that we can discuss with international colleagues and stakeholders how to use nuclear energy to bring solutions to both climate policy and sustainable economic growth,” says Minister Mykkänen.

Mykkänen will also meet Kathryn Huff, the US Assistant Secretary for Nuclear Energy, in Vienna. They will discuss the implementation of the Memorandum of Understanding on nuclear energy between Finland and the United States.

In addition, Mykkänen will meet the UK Minister for Nuclear and Networks Andrew Bowie to discuss small modular reactors (SMRs) and the final disposal of spent nuclear fuel.

Mykkänen will also visit the joint stand of FinNuclear, STUK International, VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland, TVO and Fortum at the Conference exhibition area.

Finally, he will meet the Austrian Minister for Climate Action, Environment, Energy, Mobility, Innovation and Technology Leonore Gewessler. Their meeting will focus on forms of renewable energy production and energy efficiency.

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) is an independent UN agency tasked with promoting peaceful and safe use of nuclear energy. The General Conference is the agency’s highest decision-making body. High-level representatives from 177 Member States and other countries and organisations will convene in Vienna for the Conference.