The Cabinet Office and the Japan Atomic Energy Commission (JAEC) held the 25th FNCA Ministerial Level Meeting (MLM) from December 18 to 19, 2024. MLM has been held to give the ministers responsible for nuclear science and related fields from 12 FNCA member countries an opportunity to engage in policy discussions once a year with the aim of promoting regional cooperation related to the peaceful use of nuclear energy.
At this meeting, Mr. William D. Magwood, Director-General of the Nuclear Energy Agency (NEA) of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), gave a keynote speech entitled "Nuclear Energy: A path to economic growth and environmental protection in Asia". Then a round table discussion was held on the main subject of this meeting, "FNCA: Past 25 Years and Future Activities" with lead speeches made by the representatives from Mongolia, Thailand, and Indonesia. Country reports were given on the nuclear energy policies, progress of the nuclear related activities. The meeting was concluded with the adoption of the Joint Communique, which addresses about shares the significance of the organization's contribution to improving the food and human health of its member countries, welcoming for Singapore's formal participation in FNCA as a new member country and in FNCA project activities, and recognition of the need for cooperation among member countries in the field of next-generation reactors. Throughout the meeting, there was an active exchange of opinions and information, and useful information sharing among the participants.(Program)(Participants List)

(1) Opening
At the beginning of the meeting, Mr. KIUCHI Minoru, Minister of State for Science and Technology Policy, delivered welcome remark. In his speech, he expressed Japan's continued commitment to contribute to the sustainable development of the Asian region through the peaceful use of nuclear energy, while reviewing the achievements of various projects of the 25-year-old FNCA in contributing to the development of the Asian region in a wide range of fields, including agriculture and medicine.

(2) Keynote Speech
Mr. William D. Magwood, Director-General of the Nuclear Energy Agency (NEA) of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD): “Nuclear Energy: A path to economic growth and environmental protection in Asia"
Mr. Magwood spoke about the importance of the role of nuclear energy and small modular reactors (SMRs) in achieving carbon neutrality by 2050; the economic development, energy security, and other benefits of introducing nuclear energy; the OECD/NEA efforts to create databases and develop nuclear human resources; and expectations for FNCA member countries.

(3) Round Table Discussion
Dr. Uesaka chaired the discussion, and Mongolia, Thailand, and Indonesia made lead speeches on the main topic of this meeting, “Past 25 Years and Future Activities” followed by Q&A sessions and discussions.

(4) FNCA Award Ceremony
The FNCA Award Ceremony was held to celebrate research teams and researchers who have made outstanding achievements in FNCA project activities in fiscal year 2023. At the ceremony, the winning teams and researchers of the Best Research Team Award, Excellent Research Team Award, Young Researcher Encouraging Award, and Female Researcher Encouraging Award were introduced.
The winner of the Best Research Team Award, Mr. Christopher C. Cabusora (Philippine Rice Research Institute), from the Mutation Breeding Project in the Philippines, was presented with a commemorative plaque by Dr. Uesaka, and he gave a commemorative speech on behalf of the winning team from the Philippines.

(5) Country Reports
The representatives from each country reported about progress of their recent nuclear energy policies and nuclear related activities. As for Japan, Mr. Tokumasu Shinji, Deputy Director General for Science, Technology and Innovation Policy, Cabinet Office of Japan (CAO) presented a report about a) basic concept of the use of nuclear energy, b) the direction of nuclear power and energy policies, c) energy policy direction and future state of power generation, d) the promotion of the production and use of radioisotopes for medical and other purposes, e) the development of human resources in the nuclear and scientific fields, and f) FNCA 25th Anniversary Commemoration activities.

(6) Reports for FNCA Activities
Dr. Tamada Masao, FNCA coordinator of Japan, reported on the overview of the 24th Coordinators Meeting held in March 2024. Then Mr. NAOI Yosuke, commissioner of JAEC, reported on the overview of 2024 Study Panel (2024SP) which was held in March 2024.
Next, secretariat reported on the achievements of the series of FNCA 25th anniversary events, and explained that, based on the results of the Senior Officials' Meeting held on December 12, 2024, Singapore's membership in FNCA will be approved at this Ministerial-level Meeting unless there are any particular objections from member countries. Then Singapore's membership in FNCA was officially approved, and Singapore expressed its gratitude to each country and delivered a speech on its membership.

(7) Joint Communique
The meeting confirmed contents of Joint Communique, which include issues and the need for improving them in production and distribution of medical radioisotopes in the member countries, sharing the significance of the FNCA, which celebrated the 25th anniversary of its founding, that the activities have been uniquely demonstrating great achievements for improving “Food and Human Health”, welcoming Singapore’s formal participation in FNCA as a new member country and in FNCA project activities, and recognition of the need for cooperation among member countries in the field of next-generation reactors. The communique was adopted after adjustments reflecting some comments. (Full Text: Joint Communique)

Cabinet Office of Japan, and Japan Atomic Energy Commission

1. Opening & Welcome Remarks
   Dr. UESAKA Mitsuru, Chairperson of JAEC
   Mr. KIUCHI Minoru, Minister of State for Science and Technology Policy, Japan
2. Self-introduction of the participants
3. Adoption of the agenda

1. Mongolia
2. Thailand
3. Indonesia

1. Report on the 24th CDM: Project activities
2. Report on 2024 Study Panel (SP2024)
3. Report on FNCA 25th Anniversary events
4. Singapore's new membership
5. Announcement of the meeting schedule in 2025

Closing Remarks
Dr. UESAKA Mitsuru, Chairperson of JAEC

Dr. Md. Idris Ali
Director
International Affairs Division & NLO to the IAEA,
Bangladesh Atomic Energy Commission

Ms. XIAO Lili
Senior Project Official
Department of International Cooperation
China Atomic Energy Authority (CAEA)

Mr. TAN Junlong
Senior Engineer
China Atomic Energy Authority (CAEA)

Mr. WANG Yibo
Chief Staff
Department of International Cooperation
China Nuclear Energy Association (CNEA)

Mr. Totti Tjiptosumirat
Executive Director of International Nuclear Agency Indonesia,
National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN)

Prof. Erlan Batyrbekov
Director General
National Nuclear Center of the Republic of Kazakhstan

Dr. Vladimir Vityuk
Deputy Director General for Science
RSE "National Nuclear Center of the Republic of Kazakhstan"

Mr. Changsun LEE
Director General
Nuclear, Future Energy, Convergence and Public mission R&D policy Bureau
Ministry of Science and ICT (MSIT)

Mr. Jaepyo HONG
Deputy Director
Nuclear, Future Energy, Convergence and Public mission R&D policy Bureau
Ministry of Science and ICT (MSIT)

Mr. Dong Yun LEE
Division Head
Global Cooperation Center
Korea Nuclear International Cooperation Foundation (KONICOF)

Ms. Jisoo HAN
Researcher
Global Cooperation Center
Korea Nuclear International Cooperation Foundation (KONICOF)

Dr. Muhammad Rawi Bin Mohamed Zin
Deputy Director General, (R&D Program)
Malaysian Nuclear Agency (Nuklear Malaysia)

Mr. SHANDAS Bud
Second secretary,
Embassy of Mongolia

Mr. Chadraabal MAVAG
Head,
Nuclear Technology Department,
Executive Office of the Nuclear Energy Commission (NEC) of the Government of Mongolia

Mr. Neil Raymund Diaz Guillermo
Supervising Science Research Specialist
DOST-Philippine Nuclear Research Institute (PNRI)

Mr. Christopher C. Cabusora
Senior Science Research Specialist
Plant Breeding and Biotechnology Division Department of Agriculture

Mr. Suphachai Jaismut
Vice Minister for Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation
Ministry of Higher Education Science Research and Innovation

Dr. Thawatchai ONJUN
Executive Director,
Thailand Institute of Nuclear Technology (Public Organization)

Ms. Chatchawan Mansaithong
International Cooperation Officer,
Thailand Institute of Nuclear Technology (Public Organization)

Mr. Natthawuth Wongsupa
Plan and Policy Analyst, Practitioner level
Ministry of Higher Education Science Research and Innovation

Dr. CAO Dong Vu
President of NRI
Vietnam Atomic Energy Institute - Nuclear Research Institute (NRI)

Ms. VU Thi Tu Quyen
Deputy General Director,
Ministry of Science and Technology - Department of International Cooperation

Ms. Tran Ngoc Hoan
Deputy Director, Department of International Cooperation
Vietnam Atomic Energy Institute (VINATOM)

Mr. William D. Magwood, IV
Director General, Nuclear Energy Agency

Mr. MUROYA Nobuhiro
Deputy Director-General for Management and Planning,
Nuclear Energy Agency

Mr. Wong Kang Jet
Chief Executive Officer,
National Environment Agency

Mr. Say Yueyang, Symus
Executive Engineer,
National Environment Agency

Mr. KIUCHI Minoru
Minister, CAO

Dr. KAKITA Yasuyoshi
Director-General for Science, Technology and Innovation Policy

Dr. TAMADA Masao
FNCA Coordinator of Japan

Mr. WADA Tomoaki
FNCA Advisor of Japan

Mr. TSUBOI Hiroshi
FNCA Advisor of Japan

Mr. KAWAHARA Taku
Director for International Nuclear Cooperation
Research and Development Bureau
Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT)

Dr. IKEJIRI Satoshi
Deputy Director
International Nuclear and Fusion Energy Affairs Division
Research and Development Bureau
Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT)

Mr. AOYAMA Yuichi
Unit Chief
International Nuclear and Fusion Energy Affairs Division
Research and Development Bureau
Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT)

Mr. NAKAJIMA Shogo
Researcher
International Nuclear and Fusion Energy Affairs Division
Research and Development Bureau
Ministry of Education Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT)

Ms. NAKAHARA Risa
Administrative Researcher
International Nuclear and Fusion Energy Affairs Division
Research and Development Bureau
Ministry of Education Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT)

Mr. NAGAI Tadaaki
Researcher
International Nuclear and Fusion Energy Affairs Division
Research and Development Bureau
Ministry of Education Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT)

Mr. KAJIHARA Yuma
Assistant Director
International Nuclear Cooperation Division
Disarmament, Non-Proliferation and Science Department
Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA)

Dr. UESAKA Mitsuru
Chairperson
Japan Atomic Energy Commission (JAEC)

Mr. NAOI Yosuke
Commissioner
Japan Atomic Energy Commission (JAEC)

Dr. OKADA Yukiko
Commissioner
Japan Atomic Energy Commission (JAEC)

Mr. MORIMOTO Koishi
JAMSTEC

Dr. TOKUMASU Shinji
Deputy Director General for Science, Technology and Innovation Policy
Cabinet Office of Japan (CAO)

Mr. TATEMATSU Shinya
Director
Bureau of Science, Technology and Innovation
Cabinet Office of Japan (CAO)

Mr. NAKAMURA Tomohide
Deputy-Director
Office for Atomic Energy Policy
Secretariat of the Atomic Energy Commission
Cabinet Office of Japan (CAO)

Ms. OTAGIRI Kayoko
Chief of International Affairs Section
Secretariat of the Atomic Energy Commission
Cabinet Office of Japan (CAO)

Mr. YAMADA Katsumi
Technical Counsellor
Office for Atomic Energy Policy
Secretariat of the Atomic Energy Commission
Cabinet Office of Japan (CAO)