The opening session of the Seventh International Conference on Geological Repositories (ICGR-7) in Busan, Korea. Photo: Krystal Kenney

There is consensus within the international scientific community that geological repositories can provide the necessary long-term safety and security to isolate long-lived waste from the human environment over extended timescales. At a global scale, there is now greater experience in developing the licensing of deep geological repositories (DGRs) that has established a foundational structure for other countries to explore and initiate their own DGRs. There are numerous cross-cutting aspects and societal elements to take into consideration in development of DGRs, including building and maintaining public confidence, ensuring sufficient human capacity, and transfer of information and expertise.

The Seventh International Conference on Geological Repositories (ICGR-7) took place on 27-31 May 2024 in Busan, Korea. The event brought together high-level decision-makers from regulatory and local government bodies, waste management organisations and public stakeholder communities to review current perspectives of geological repository development. The objectives of the ICGR include:

• take stock of progress made since 2022 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.

Building upon the success of previous conferences held in Denver (1999), Stockholm (2003), Berne (2007), Toronto (2012), Paris (2016), and Helsinki (2022), the seventh ICGR also engaged university students and young professionals, to ensure that younger generations are participating in, and contributing to, these important discussions which will have impacts on future generations.

The conference was co-organised with the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy of Korea, in co-operation with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and the European Commission (EC).

KORAD (Korea Radioactive Waste Agency) is the local host of ICGR-7.

As of 10 May, registration for ICGR-7 is now closed.

Seifallah Ben Hadj Hassine (EC)

Sana Bilal (FANR, United Arab Emirates)

Yeonhee Hah (KINS, Korea)

Haeryong Jung (KORAD, Korea)

Chang Lak Kim (KEPCO, Korea)

Philippe Lalieux (ONDRAF-NIRAS, Belgium)

Karina Lange (IAEA)

Soufiane Mekki (NEA)

Morgan Packer (NEA)

Nuria Prieto Serrano (ENRESA, Spain)

Sylvia Saltzstein (SNL, United States)

Shauryavardhan Sharma (NEA)

Lisa Smadja (NEA)

Emily Stein (SNL, United States)

Rebecca Tadesse (NEA)

Hiroyuki Umeki (NUMO, Japan)

Ewoud Verhoef (COVRA, Netherlands)

Tim Vietor (NAGRA, Switzerland)

Lukas Vondrovic (SURAO, Czechia)

The ICGR-7 Younger Generation Session was held on Monday, 27 May 2024, inviting the younger generation to explore nuclear energy education, research and career development opportunities, with a specific focus on enabling the establishment of DGR programmes. Delving into the initiatives of NEA, IAEA, EC, and WNA, with specific presentations dedicated to each organisation, the younger generation session focused on methods for further engaging youth to foster academic and career growth in this field.

This session was open to all registered ICGR-7 participants (regardless of age)  interested in contributing to the collective discussion.