^{Spent nuclear fuel repository site, Olkiluoto, Finland. Photo: Kallerna.}

Introduction

The Sixth International Conference on Geological Repositories (ICGR) took place in Helsinki, Finland from 4-8 April 2022. The conference itself was organised on 4-7 April, and a site visit to a low- and intermediate-level waste repository with an exhibition on the underground rock characterisation facility (ONKALO) at Olkiluoto, Finland took place on 8 April. The conference brought together senior‑level decision makers from countries advancing programmes for deep geological repositories.

The event convened stakeholders working in the field of geological repositories, including engineers and scientists in radioactive waste management, implementers, research organisations, regulators, decision makers, responsible government ministries, environmental organisations and the public. University students (Bachelor, Master and PhD students) and young professionals with 0-5 years’ work experience or under 30 years of age attended the Younger Generation Session, as well as to participate in discussions in other sessions.

The objectives of the conference were:

• to take stock of progress made since 2016 in developing and implementing geological repositories for long-lived radioactive waste, and to advance mutual learning through the international forum for the exchange of perspectives and experiences;
• to examine the latest issues and challenges encountered by various stakeholders in different developmental stages by sharing experiences among countries developing geological repositories;
• to enhance international co-operation for transforming research results into practical and reliable technologies for the long-term implementation of disposal facilities;
• to identify opportunities to strengthen co-operation for building and maintaining confidence in the geological repository life cycle;
• to improve involvement of the younger generation in the development and research of geological disposal.

Worldwide consensus exists within the international community that geological repositories provide the necessary long-term safety and security to isolate long-lived waste from the human environment over extended timescales. It is also feasible to construct these repositories using current technologies. However, challenges remain in many countries as regards the technical merits and safety of repositories, including building and maintaining public confidence, availability of skilled staff as well as transfer of information and expertise. The involvement of the younger generation is also often challenging, but crucial for the sustainable development of geological disposals.

Building upon the success of previous conferences held in Denver (1999), Stockholm (2003), Berne (2007), Toronto (2012) and Paris (2016), the sixth ICGR brought together high-level decision makers from responsible government ministries, regulatory bodies, waste management organisations, research institutes and local stakeholders, as well as young professionals and students to review current perspectives of geological repository development. The sixth ICGR on advancing geological repositories from concept to operation was designed to show the significant progress in developing geological repositories over the last two decades by:

• promoting the sharing of information and experience;
• discussing various best practices in demonstrating technical reliability;
• sharing approaches in building human capacity and building stakeholder confidence in the safe construction and operation of long-term geological repositories.

Venue

The conference was held in Congress hall of Paasitorni in Helsinki, Finland.

Hotels near this venue include:

• Radisson Blu Plaza Hotel
• Original Sokos Hotel Vaakuna
• Hilton Helsinki Strand
• Scandic Hakaniemi
• Scandic Paasi

• 31 January 2022 – Issue of final programme
• 28 February 2022 – End of submission of presentations
• 6 March 2022 – End of registration
• 4 – 8 April 2022 – Conference

Organisers

The co-organisers of the conference are the NEA and the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment, Finland. The local host is the FinNuclear Association.

The conference is organised in co-operation with the:

• International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)
• European Commission (EC)
• International Association for Environmentally Safe Disposal of Radioactive Materials (EDRAM)

Programme Committee

The NEA Secretariat and the Programme Committee are collaborating on conference preparation. Programme Committe members are listed below.