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World Nuclear Association



 
 
The World Nuclear Association (WNA), formerly the Uranium Institute, is a confederation of companies connected with nuclear power
Nuclear power

Nuclear power is any nuclear technology designed to extract usable energy from atomic nucleus via controlled nuclear reactions. The only method in use today is through nuclear fission, though other methods might one day include nuclear fusion and radioactive decay ....
 production. Its members come from all parts of the nuclear fuel cycle, including uranium mining
Uranium mining

Uranium mining is the process of extraction of uranium ore from the ground. As uranium ore is mostly present at relatively low concentrations, most uranium mining is very volume-intensive, and thus tends to be undertaken as open-pit mining....
, uranium conversion, uranium enrichment, nuclear fuel
Nuclear fuel

Nuclear fuel is any material that can be consumed to derive nuclear energy, by analogy to chemical fuel that is Combustioned to derive energy....
 fabrication, plant manufacture, transport, and the disposition of used nuclear fuel as well as electricity generation
Electricity generation

Electricity generation is the process of converting non-electrical energy to electricity. For electric utility, it is the first process in the delivery of electricity to consumers....
 itself .

Together, WNA members are responsible for 95% of the world's nuclear power outside of the U.S.
United States

The United States of America is a Federal government constitutional republic comprising U.S. state and a federal district. The country is situated mostly in central North America, where its Contiguous United States and Washington, D.C., the Capital districts and territories, lie between the Pacific Ocean and Atlantic Oceans, Borders of the U...
  as well as the vast majority of world uranium, conversion and enrichment production.

The WNA says it aims to fulfil a dual role for its members: Facilitating their interaction on technical, commercial and policy matters and promoting wider public understanding of nuclear technology.






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The World Nuclear Association (WNA), formerly the Uranium Institute, is a confederation of companies connected with nuclear power
Nuclear power

Nuclear power is any nuclear technology designed to extract usable energy from atomic nucleus via controlled nuclear reactions. The only method in use today is through nuclear fission, though other methods might one day include nuclear fusion and radioactive decay ....
 production. Its members come from all parts of the nuclear fuel cycle, including uranium mining
Uranium mining

Uranium mining is the process of extraction of uranium ore from the ground. As uranium ore is mostly present at relatively low concentrations, most uranium mining is very volume-intensive, and thus tends to be undertaken as open-pit mining....
, uranium conversion, uranium enrichment, nuclear fuel
Nuclear fuel

Nuclear fuel is any material that can be consumed to derive nuclear energy, by analogy to chemical fuel that is Combustioned to derive energy....
 fabrication, plant manufacture, transport, and the disposition of used nuclear fuel as well as electricity generation
Electricity generation

Electricity generation is the process of converting non-electrical energy to electricity. For electric utility, it is the first process in the delivery of electricity to consumers....
 itself .

Together, WNA members are responsible for 95% of the world's nuclear power outside of the U.S.
United States

The United States of America is a Federal government constitutional republic comprising U.S. state and a federal district. The country is situated mostly in central North America, where its Contiguous United States and Washington, D.C., the Capital districts and territories, lie between the Pacific Ocean and Atlantic Oceans, Borders of the U...
  as well as the vast majority of world uranium, conversion and enrichment production.

The WNA says it aims to fulfil a dual role for its members: Facilitating their interaction on technical, commercial and policy matters and promoting wider public understanding of nuclear technology.

Accredited to the United Nations
United Nations

The United Nations is an international organization whose stated aims are to facilitate cooperation in international law, international security, economic development, Social change, human rights and achieving world peace....
, the WNA is an independent, non-profit organisation, funded primarily by membership subscriptions.

Leadership


WNA members appoint a Director General and elect a 13 man board of management. The Director General is , former US ambassador to UN organizations in Vienna, among them the International Atomic Energy Agency
International Atomic Energy Agency

The International Atomic Energy Agency is an international organization that seeks to promote the peaceful use of nuclear technology and to inhibit its use for nuclear weapon....
 and the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty Organization
Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty Organization

The Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organization is an international organization that will be established upon the entry into force of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty, a Convention that outlaws nuclear test explosions....
. The Chairman of the board is , CEO of General Electric
General Electric

The General Electric Company, or GE is a multinational corporation United States technology and Service s conglomerate incorporated in the State of New York....
's nuclear business and the vice chairman is of France
France

France , officially the French Republic , is a country whose Metropolitan France is located in Western Europe and that also comprises various Overseas departments and territories of France....
's Areva
Areva

AREVA is a Government-owned corporation multinational industrial Conglomerate that is mainly known for nuclear power; it also has interests in other energy projects....
. A board of management fulfils statutory duties pertaining to the organization's governance and sets WNA policies and strategic objectives, subject to approval by the full membership.

WNA operates a Council of Advisors which serves as a means of fostering interchange among nuclear industry leaders and eliciting their advice and support in the conduct of WNA strategy. The Co-Chairmen of the Council are Hans Blix
Hans Blix

is a Sweden diplomat and politician. He was Minister for Foreign Affairs . Blix was also the head of the United Nations Monitoring, Verification and Inspection Commission from March 2000 to June 2003, when he was succeeded by Demetrius Perricos....
, Director General-Emeritus of the International Atomic Energy Agency, and , Chairman-Emeritus of the World Association of Nuclear Operators
World Association of Nuclear Operators

The World Association of Nuclear Operators is an international organisation founded in 1989 after the Chernobyl accident to foster international cooperation and professional excellence within the nuclear industry....
.

Charter of Ethics


The WNA has established a Charter of Ethics to serve as a common credo amongst its member organizations. This affirmation of values and principles is intended to summarize the responsibilities of the nuclear industry and the surrounding legal and institutional framework that has been constructed through international cooperation to fulfil U.S. President Dwight D. Eisenhower
Dwight D. Eisenhower

Dwight David ?Ike? Eisenhower was the List of Presidents of the United States President of the United States from 1953 until 1961 and a General of the Army in the United States Army....
's vision of 'Atoms for Peace
Atoms for Peace

"Atoms for Peace" was the title of a speech delivered by U.S. President Dwight D. Eisenhower to the UN General Assembly in New York City on December 8, 1953....
'.

Membership


WNA Membership is comprised mainly of companies, and the WNA's twice-yearly meetings have primarily a commercial focus. Current WNA Members are responsible for virtually all of world uranium, conversion, and enrichment production and some 95% of the world's nuclear-generated electricity outside the USA (85% of world nuclear generation, including the USA ).

The WNA continues to expand its membership, particularly in non-OECD countries where nuclear power is produced or where this option is under active consideration. Already WNA members are located in countries representing 80% of the world's population.

The annual subscription fee for an institutional member is based on its size and scale of activity. Upon receiving an inquiry or application, WNA's London
London

London is the capital of both England and the United Kingdom, and the most populous municipality in the European Union. An important settlement for two millennia, History of London goes back to its founding by the Roman Empire....
-based secretariat determines the fee according to standard criteria and informs the candidate organisation accordingly. The fee structure provides, in many cases, for significant discounts for organisations located in countries outside the OECD.

A low-fee non-commercial membership is available for organisations with a solely academic, research, policy or regulatory function.

Affiliates


WNA affiliation entails neither financial obligation nor implications for an organisation's independence. WNA independent affiliates comprise diverse nuclear-related organisations that have decided on affiliation with the WNA as a symbolic act of partnership:

  • Professional organisations with an international membership and a specific focus of interest
  • National or regional commercially-based membership organisations
  • National nuclear societies
  • Citizens' organisations supporting nuclear power as a key clean energy option.


Activities and services


Industry interaction


An essential role of the World Nuclear Association is to facilitate commercially valuable interaction among its Institutional Members.

Ongoing WNA working groups, consisting of Institutional Members and supported by the secretariat, share information and develop analysis on a range of technical, trade and environmental matters. These subjects include:

  • Nuclear fuel production
  • Industry economics
  • Nuclear trade issues
  • Radiological protection
  • 'Nuclear event' definition
  • Transport
  • Uranium stewardship
  • Waste management and decommissioning
  • Sustainable development and climate change
  • Security of the international fuel cycle
  • Safe and sustainable uranium stewardship
  • Global strategies on public education and public policy


When meeting to discuss industry issues, WNA members are cautioned to avoid any topic that could potentially create even the impression of an attempt to set prices or engage in other anti-competitive behaviour. Accordingly, topics not discussed in WNA meetings include terms of specific contracts; current or projected prices for products or services; allocation of markets; refusals to deal with particular suppliers or customers; or any similar matters that might impair competition within any segment of the nuclear industry.

Meetings


The WNA's in London provides a forum for members, spotlights the role of the WNA's worldwide affiliates and serves as a platform for speakers from throughout the world nuclear industry. At some Symposia the WNA presents an award for 'Distinguished Contribution to the Peaceful Worldwide Use of Nuclear Energy'.

The WNA also cooperates with the Nuclear Energy Institute
Nuclear Energy Institute

The Nuclear Energy Institute is a nuclear industry lobbying group in the United States....
 on annual meetings for industry representatives concerned with nuclear fuel supply and in particular the uranium market.

Public information


The is intended to provide the best available non-technical source of information on the global nuclear industry. The site presents reference documents, and a wide range of educational and explanatory papers which are constantly updated.

The WNA supports (WNN
WNN (disambiguation)

WNN may refer to:*Wnn*World News Now*World Nuclear News*Women News Network*World News Network*Weightless neural networks*the Wonka News Network...
), an online news service intended to bring accurate and accessible information on developments in nuclear power to WNA's industry readers and the general public. Its output is free of charge and may be widely reproduced in accordance with WNN's .

Backing up WNA information services is a specialist library at WNA headquarters in London. The is open to individuals by telephone appointment.

See Also

  • Institute of Nuclear Materials Management
    Institute of Nuclear Materials Management

    The Institute of Nuclear Materials Management is a technical and professional organization dedicated to the safe handling of nuclear material throughout the world....

External links