Forum for Nuclear Cooperation in Asia (FNCA)
Summary Report of the 2nd Panel Meeting
“Role of Nuclear Energy for Sustainable Development in Asia”
January 25 (Wed) and 26 (Thu), 2006
Venue: Mita -Kaigisho (Tokyo)
 1. The Forum for Nuclear Cooperation in Asia's (FNCA) 2nd panel meeting
on the "Role of Nuclear Energy for Sustainable Development in Asia"
opened with an Opening Address from Prof. Shunsuke Kondo, Chairman of the
Japan Atomic Energy Commission. The meeting was attended by 20 participants
from 7 FNCA member status.
2. Session 1 was moderated by Dr. Sueo Machi, Commissioner of the Japan Atomic Energy Commission, who briefed on the outcome of the 6th Ministerial-Level Meeting, and explained the overall program for the panel . Dr. Machi then reported the recent global trend in the role of nuclear energy in the context of growing energy demands in Asia and the intensifying necessity for the control of global warming.
3. In the presentation of country reports in Session 2, representatives from participating countries reported their nations' energy demand outlook, the role of nuclear energy, and common issues in introducing nuclear power generation. The session was moderated by Mr. Dol Malek Bin Md. Sap of Malaysia in the first half, and Dr. Arnold Yahanes Soetrisnanto of Indonesia in the second half.
4. In Session 3, moderated by Mr. Victor Emmanuel Dato, Assistant Secretary
of the Department of Energy of the Philippines, Mr. Masaharu Fujitomi,
President of Asia Pacific Energy Research Centre (APERC) offered a lead-off
speech on the "Energy Outlook in Asia Role of Nuclear Power".
This was followed by discussions among participating nations, which led
to the following common understanding: |
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(1) |
Rapid social and economic development will bring an accelerated increase in energy demand in the region of FNCA countries. |
(2) |
With limited fossil fuel reserves, the FNCA region is projected to increase its dependency on the importation of oil, natural gas and other resources. There is a concern on the impact of possible drastic increase in fossil fuel price. |
(3) |
The global environment is deteriorating due to global warming, caused by carbon dioxide released from using fossil fuels, and environmental pollution with sulfur dioxides and nitrogen oxides released from coal combustion. |
(4) |
Effective future options for ensuring stable energy supply and preventing the further acceleration of global warming include promoting energy conservation, improving the efficiency of fossil energy use and the approach of optimum energy combination, i.e. making maximum use of nuclear energy or alternative energies, such as solar and wind power, taking advantage of their respective characteristics. |
| 5. In Session 4, moderated by Japanese representative Dr. Machi, Yasuki Maruyama, Research Counselor of Environmental Science Research Laboratory, Central Research Institute of the Electric Power Industry, offered a lead-off speech on the role of nuclear energy i n the prevention of global warming. This was followed by discussions which led to the following understanding on the role of nuclear power generation: |
(1) |
In order to achieve sustainable development of FNCA countries, facing rapidly growing energy demand, it is necessary to ensure stable energy supplies and while concern about global warming. |
(2) |
Since nuclear power generation does not release carbon dioxide in its power production process, nuclear energy is one of the practical energy sources to contribute to mitigating global warming. It is important to have discussions between countries in Asia and in Europe, and between experts of environment and nuclear energy to promote possible inclusion of nuclear power to CDM. |
(3) |
Nuclear energy can contribute to stable energy supplies. |
(4) |
Some delegate showed interest to in a suggestion to appeal COP to review nuclear power to be included in CDM based on the long experience of nuclear power plant providing clean energy by safe manner. |
6. In Session 5, common tasks for the introduction of nuclear power generation were
summarized as follows:
| (1) Safety of nuclear power generation (moderator: Vietnam) |
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a) |
Mr. Wataru Mizumachi, Director General, Planning and Coordination Division, Japan Nuclear Energy Safety Organization, presented a lead-off speech, introducing relevant legal systems in Japan and explaining the safety and mechanism of nuclear power generation. He also mentioned that there is no technology with absolute safety, and nuclear power plants with proven technology have solid safety features. |
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b) |
It was noted that the public is still concerned about nuclear safety, therefore the communication with the public on safety feature with the support of qualified international organizations is desirable. |
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c) |
Assurance of safety with economical feasibility has been realized. |
| (2) Development of human resources and a technological infrastructure (moderator: Vietnam) |
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a) |
Chinese representative Prof. Wu Chunxi, Vice President, China Institute of Nuclear Information and Economics gave a lead-off speech, describing the current status and future plans in human resource and technology development in China. |
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b) |
Delegates confirmed the importance of securing / fostering human resources from a long-term perspective, particularly for the countries introducing nuclear power generation. |
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c) |
ANTEP activities, which was reported by last ministerial meeting, are expected to contribute human resource development. |
| (3) Economic viability (moderator: China) |
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a) |
Mr. Koji Nagano, Senior Researcher, Socio-Economic Research Center, Central Research Institute of the Electric Power Industry, made a lead-off speech, introducing economics of nuclear power depending on the time frame setting. |
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b) |
It was understood that generally nuclear power generation is economically competitive with other energy sources in the long term, despite of the large initial investments. |
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c) |
Economic comparison between nuclear power and thermal power should be country specific, due to cost differences in fossil fuels. |
| (4) Initiatives for developing a national consensus (moderator: Thailand) |
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a) |
Dr. Myung Jae Song, Director General, KHNP, presented a lead-off speech, introducing the process of building a national consensus in determining the site for a mid- and low-level waste disposal facility . |
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b) |
It was understood that public understanding and trust is essential for public acceptance of nuclear power generation in smoothly implementing activities and that it is importance of ensuring transparency in activities promoting nuclear power. |
| (5) Nuclear non-proliferation (moderator: Japan) |
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a) |
Kaoru Naito, Senior Executive Director, Nuclear Material Control Center, made a lead-off speech, explaining the importance of nuclear safeguards, physical protection of nuclear material and export control. |
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b) |
It was understood that ensuring nuclear non-proliferation is the fundamental issue for introducing nuclear power and international cooperation associated with nuclear energy. |
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c) |
It was noted that concluding and enforcing the IAEA's comprehensive safeguards agreement is a major prerequisite, for non nuclear weapon state party to NPT and its Additional Protocol is the effective means of strengthening it. |
7. In Session 6, the participants agreed that the panel is useful and fruitful forum to share experiences and information among countries which have already introduced nuclear power, the countries which have plan of nuclear power and countries which have no plan for. Delegates emphasized interests in human resource development, public acceptance, economic feasibility and financing analysis for nuclear power. Delegates agreed that the draft of final report would be submitted to the 3 rd panel meeting in cooperation with the Panel members.
Program
Program of the Second Panel Meeting on
“Role of Nuclear Energy for Sustainable Development in Asia”
Forum for Nuclear Cooperation in Asia (FNCA)
| Date: January 25-26, 2006 |
| Place: Mita- Kaigisho Tokyo, Japan |
| Organized by: Atomic Energy Commission (AEC) of Japan / Cabinet Office (CAO) |
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| Wednesday, January 25 |
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| 9:30 - 10:00 Opening Session |
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Chair: Dr. Sueo Machi, Commissioner, AEC of Japan, FNCA Coordinator of Japan |
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- Opening Remarks: Dr. S. Kondo, Chairman, AEC of Japan |
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- Introduction of the Participants |
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| 10:00 - 10:30 Session 1: Summary of the 6 th FNCA MM and Overview of the Panel |
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Reporter: Dr. S. Machi, FNCA Coordinator of Japan, Commissioner of AEC |
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< 10:30 - 10:45 Coffee Break > |
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| 10:45 - 11:45 Session 2: |
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Country Reports “Sustainable Development and Roles of Nuclear Energy” |
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Chair: Malaysia |
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<Part 1> |
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(1) China |
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(2) Indonesia |
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(3) Japan |
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| 11:45 - 12:00 Memorial Photo |
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< Lunch 12:00 - 13:30 at Room “Mita”> |
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| 13:30 - 14:45 Session 2(Cont'): |
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Chair: Dr.Arnold Y. Soetrisnanto, BATAN, Indonesia |
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<Part 2> |
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(4) Malaysia |
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(5) The Philippines |
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(6) Thailand |
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(7) Viet Nam |
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< 14:45 - 15:00 Coffee Break> |
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| 15:00 - 16:00 Session 3: Long- Team Energy Outlook in Asia Region |
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Chair: Mr. Victor E. Dato, Philippines |
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15:00 - 15:30 (1) “Energy Outlook in Asia” |
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- Lead off Speech: Mr. Masaharu Fujitomi, APERC, Japan |
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15:30 - 15:55 (2) |
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(1)Demand Increase of the Fossil Fuel and Limited Natural resource, |
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(2)Environmental Effect by the Utilization of Fossil Fuel, |
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(3)Advantage and Disadvantage of Non-Fossil Energy. |
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- Report by Secretariat |
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- Discussion |
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<15:55 - 16:15 Break> |
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| 16:15 - 17:20 Session 4: Role of Nuclear Energy |
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Chair: Dr. Sueo Machi, AEC, Japan |
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16:15 - 16:45 |
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- Lead off Speech: Mr. Koki Maruyama, CRIEPI, Japan |
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“The Role of Nuclear Power Generation to Mitigate Global |
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Warming in the Future” |
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- Report by Secretariat |
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- Discussion |
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<18:00 - 19:30 Reception at Room “Mita”> |
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| Thursday, January 26 |
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| 9:30 - 12:10 Session 5: “Common Issue of Introduction of Nuclear Power” |
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Chair: Mr. Nguyen Van De, VAEC, Viet Nam |
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9:30 - 10:25 (1) •Safety on Nuclear Power Plant• |
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- Lead off Speech: Mr. Wataru Mizumachi, JNES, Japan |
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- Report by Secretariat |
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- Discussion |
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10:25 - 11:10 (2) “Human Resource Development and Development of |
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Technology Infrastructure” |
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- Lead off Speech: Prof. Wu Chunxi, CAEA, China |
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- Report by Secretariat |
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- Discussion |
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< 11:10 - 11:25 Coffee Break > |
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Chair: Prof. Wu Chunxi, CINIE, China |
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11:25 - 12:10 (3) “On the Economics of Nuclear Power” |
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- Lead off Speech: Dr. Koji Nagano, CRIEPI, Japan |
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- Report by Secretariat |
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- Discussion |
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< 12:10 - 13:40 at Room “Mita”> |
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| 13:40 - 15:20 Session 5(Cont'): |
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Chair: Dr. Mayurapan Sajjakulnukit, DEDE, Thailand |
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13:00 - 14:25 (4) “Common Problems of Introduction of Nuclear Power
Generation” |
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- Lead off Speech: Dr. Myung Jae Song, KHNP, Korea |
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- Report by Secretariat |
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- Discussion |
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Chair: Japan |
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14:25 - 15:20 (5) “State's Role in Nuclear Non- Proliferation” |
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- Lead off Speech: Mr. Kaoru Naito, NMCC, Japan |
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- Report by Secretariat |
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- Discussion |
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<15:20 - 15:35 Coffee Break> |
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| 15:35 - 16:10 Session 6: Possible FNCA Cooperation on Strategic Energy Plan |
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and Nuclear Power |
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Chair: Dr. Sueo Machi, AEC, Japan |
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- Report by Secretariat |
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- Discussion |
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<16:10 - 17:00 Break> |
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Summary Drafting |
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| 17:00 - 17:30 Session 7: Wrap-up Discussion and Confirmation of Summary |
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(1) Confirmation of Summary |
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(2) Future Plan |
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(3) Closing Remarks |
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