US Energy: U.S. Secretary of Energy Jennifer M. Granholm and IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi Promote the 2022 Nuclear Power Ministerial

U.S. Secretary of Energy Jennifer M. Granholm and International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Director General Rafael Grossi held their first official bilateral meeting today at the IAEA 65th General Conference in Vienna, Austria. During the meeting, Secretary Granholm expressed the United States’ strong support for the IAEA’s nuclear energy applications, safety, safeguards and security missions and highlighted several key priorities for cooperation, including the joint promotion of the 2022 IAEA Nuclear Power Ministerial Conference to be held October 2022 in Washington, DC.

“Nuclear is a key technology for Member States as they aim to lower their emissions, grow their economies, and ultimately combat climate change in a truly sustainable way. It’s an incredible honor for the United States to be hosting the 2022 IAEA Nuclear Power Ministerial at such a pivotal time,” said Secretary Granholm. “The U.S. Department of Energy is committed to working with Director General Grossi and the IAEA to ensure a successful conference and we strongly encourage all countries to send Ministerial-level representatives to join us as we unlock the full potential of nuclear.”

“I’d like to thank the United States for offering to host this important IAEA event through the Department of Energy. It comes at a critical time as the world seeks solutions to climate change and sustainable development,” said IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi “Nuclear power already contributes a lot, but an enabling environment is needed for its continued operation and further development and deployment, including innovations such as small modular reactors.”

The United States will be the fifth IAEA Member State to host the Ministerial Conference. The international event brings together ministers, high-level government officials, and technical experts from IAEA Member States to help shape the global conversation on nuclear energy and explore the variety of ways it can support the world’s transition to cleaner energy sources.