IAEA’s Grossi talks with insurance companies’ executives

The forum, a nuclear insurance conference, was organized by the Swiss Pool for the Insurance of Nuclear Risks and hosted by Swiss Re. It was held at the Centre for Global Dialogue in Rüschlikon, Switzerland, on June 11–13.

Talking points: Grossi spoke on how a secure, thriving, and sustainable future requires the use of nuclear power, calling it the world’s opportunity and responsibility. He described the consensus on the necessity of using nuclear energy to reach net-zero climate emissions, as was agreed upon at COP28, the first climate change conference ever to feature nuclear in the list of low-emission technologies that need accelerating.

“We see good perspectives for nuclear but need technology, finance, and regulation to continue advancing, and the IAEA is working actively on this,” he said.

Grossi talked about the multiple considerations that insurance companies face when considering nuclear projects, from new technologies and build speed to risk management and liability. “The nuclear industry is one of the safest, but there is no room for complacency,” he said.

Grossi also addressed the ETH Center for Security Studies on “Global Nuclear Risks and Non-Proliferation.” His subject matter was the safety, security, and safeguards for nuclear plants in times of war, as well as building on the IAEA’s ongoing experience working to prevent a nuclear accident in Ukraine.