Belgian Nuclear Forum signs Nuclear Industry Declaration at Nuclear Energy Summit in Paris
Press release
On the occasion of the Global Nuclear Energy Summit, hosted by France on 10 March 2026 in Paris under the high patronage of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Belgian Nuclear Forum joined 24 other national and international nuclear industry associations in signing a joint declaration reaffirming the role of nuclear power as a key pillar of sustainable, secure and resilient energy systems.
Through its participation in this initiative, led by the French nuclear industry association GIFEN, Belgian Nuclear Forum represents Belgium among organisations from 22 countries across Europe, Asia and the Americas that are developing or considering the use of civilian nuclear energy.
At a time marked by intensifying climate disruption, geopolitical tension and steadily rising global energy demand, the sector reaffirms through this collective mobilisation its commitment to nuclear power as a cornerstone of sustainable, secure and resilient energy systems.
Serge Dauby, Managing Director of Belgian Nuclear Forum, stated: “For Belgium, nuclear energy already plays a crucial role in providing reliable, low-carbon electricity. Looking ahead, maintaining nuclear power in the electricity mix will be essential to guarantee energy security, support the energy transition and ensure stable and affordable electricity for citizens and industry. Nuclear energy, alongside other low-carbon technologies, will remain a key part of a balanced and resilient Belgian energy system.”
“For Belgium, nuclear energy already plays a crucial role in providing reliable, low-carbon electricity. Looking ahead, maintaining nuclear power in the electricity mix will be essential to guarantee energy security, support the energy transition and ensure stable and affordable electricity for citizens and industry. Nuclear energy, alongside other low-carbon technologies, will remain a key part of a balanced and resilient Belgian energy system.”
An Essential Tool for Carbon Neutrality
The signatories recall that nuclear energy is one of the very few means of producing large quantities of low-carbon electricity that is both dispatchable and continuous.
The nuclear industry reiterates its support for the objective of tripling global nuclear capacity by 2050 and emphasises that achieving carbon neutrality will require the large-scale deployment of all low-carbon solutions. In this respect, nuclear power constitutes a structural tool for diversifying energy systems and sustainably reducing dependence on fossil fuels.
A Driver of Economic Development and Sovereignty
Access to reliable and affordable energy is a prerequisite for economic development, industrial competitiveness and social cohesion. The nuclear industry contributes to the stability of electricity prices, strengthens energy sovereignty and supports the creation of highly skilled jobs across the entire value chain.
Given the capital-intensive nature and long-term horizons of nuclear infrastructure, the signatories call for financial frameworks that are both appropriate and predictable.
Innovating to Meet Tomorrow’s Energy Needs
Large-scale reactors, SMRs (Small Modular Reactors) and AMRs (Advanced Modular Reactors): innovation is expanding the range of possibilities in terms of flexibility, integration into existing systems and adaptation to local needs.
Beyond electricity generation, nuclear energy enables the development of new applications, including low-carbon hydrogen production, industrial and district heating, desalination, nuclear medicine, radioisotope production, as well as advanced research and industrial applications.
Industry leaders also stress the importance of investing in education, skills development and operational excellence in order to ensure the safe and sustainable expansion of nuclear programmes.
Second edition of the Nuclear Energy Summit
This Global Nuclear Energy Summit, hosted by France on 10 March 2026 in Paris under the high patronage of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), was the second edition of the Nuclear Energy Summit. The first-ever Nuclear Energy Summit, co-chaired by Belgium and the IAEA, took place in Brussels on March 21, 2024, bringing together world leaders from 34 countries to affirm nuclear power as key to reducing fossil fuels, strengthening energy security, and achieving net-zero.
Signatories
GIFEN (France), NIA (United Kingdom), Belgian Nuclear Forum (Belgium), FinNuclear (Finland), AIN (Italy), IGEOS Nuclear (Poland), ABDAN (Brazil), OCNI (Canada), CNA (Canada), SAF et NSS (Slovenia), Nucleair Nederland (Netherlands), UNF (Ukraine), BulAtom (Bulgaria), Swiss NuklearForum (Switzerland), KAIF (South Korea), Foro Nuclear (Spain), NIATR (Turkey), JAIF (Japan), FICCI (India), ROMATOM (Romania), NNA (Norway), NuclearSweden (Sweden), CNEA (China), Nucleareurope, World Nuclear Association.
Find the signed version of the joint declaration here.
About the Belgian Nuclear Forum (BNF)
The Belgian Nuclear Forum brings together most of the companies and organizations active in the field of nuclear applications. Originally an industry federation, the Belgian Nuclear Forum has gradually become a reference information portal on nuclear technology for the press, the political world and the general public. Our role is to facilitate the collaboration and networking between different stakeholders in the nuclear sector.
