Rosatom to host a week of nuclear-themed events at EXPO 2020

Rosatom, a global technological leader, will host ‘Breakthrough Technologies for a Sustainable Future’ week at EXPO 2020 in Dubai, UAE.

The week-long programme, taking place on 17-24 January 2022, will highlight a wide range of technologies and their applications – including the latest nuclear innovations – aimed at improving quality of life and helping to tackle global social, economic and environmental challenges.

The programme will kick off with sessions on adopting a human-centered approach to training and promoting engineering education through international partnerships. It opens with the discussion of Human-Centricity Index along with engineering nuclear education at the inaugural day on January 17. Leaders and senior experts from Rosatom, DP World, the International Organization of Employers, the International Atomic Energy Agency, Singularity University (USA), Khalifa University (UAE), Higher School of Economics (Russia), International Youth Nuclear Congress (IYNC), as well leading higher educational institutions of Russia, Italy and Great Britain will participate in series of events this day.

Sustainable shipping will be another key theme of the programme. During the Northern Transit Corridor session on 19 January, international experts, including representatives from Rosatom, DP World and the World Ocean Council, will discuss the opportunities for commercial shipping along the Northern Sea Route and how to mitigate any impact on the Arctic environment.

‘NPP Construction in the MENA Region: Prospects of Cooperation’ on 19 January is another highlight of the week, which will focus on current large-scale NPP projects in the MENA and regional cooperation in the nuclear sector to help implement nuclear power programmes in newcomer countries.

One of the key events of the week will be ‘Small Modular Reactors (SMR) Day’. Taking place on 20 January 2022, SMR Day will examine the advantages of this technology and how it can bring low-carbon energy to the world’s most remote regions. Along with conventional nuclear power plants (NPPs), Rosatom is at the forefront of developing this technology.

The ‘Net Zero: Achievement Points, Experience and Approaches’ session on 21 January will be dedicated to decarbonisation – one of the biggest issues facing the world – and will review the outcomes of COP26. During the event, international experts will discuss climate regulation, the steps required to adopt and achieve net zero goals and green financing of low-carbon and sustainable energy, including in developing countries.

Attendees will also have the unique opportunity to take part in virtual tours of cutting-edge NPPs, including: the Beloyarsk NPP, the only site with the most powerful commercial fast-breeder reactor in the world; Russian NPPs using world-leading VVER-1200 technology (Novovoronezh and Leningrad NPPs); the world’s only operational floating NPP; and TVEL’s Machinery Manufacturing Plant responsible for nuclear fuel production.

As well as highlighting the applications of nuclear technology, ‘Breakthrough Technologies for a Sustainable Future’ week will showcase how other types of technology – including wind energy, composite materials and quantum computing – can help make sustainability a reality.

Alexey Likhachev, Director General of Rosatom, commented: “Rosatom’s philosophy is to make the transition to low-carbon energy and a sustainable economy more cost-effective for everyone. We’re looking forward to sharing how nuclear technologies and other innovations make an invaluable contribution to creating a sustainable future for the younger generations during our week of events.”

Broadcast of the Week’s events will be available on the official ‘Rosatom Global’ YouTube channel.