World Nuclear Association
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The World Nuclear Association (WNA), formerly the Uranium Institute, is a confederation of companies connected with nuclear power production. Its members come from all parts of the nuclear fuel cycle, including uranium mining, uranium conversion, uranium enrichment, nuclear fuel fabrication, plant manufacture, transport, and the disposition of used nuclear fuel as well as power generation itself.
Together, WNA members are responsible for 90% of the world's nuclear power outside of the USA as well as 90% of world uranium, conversion and enrichment production.
The WNA fulfils 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, the WNA is an independent, non-profit organisation, funded primarily by membership subscriptions.
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[edit] Leadership
WNA members appoint a Director General and elect a board of management. The Director General is John Ritch. The chairman of the board is Ralf Güldner and the vice-chairman is Jose Luis Gonzalez. 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, Director General-Emeritus of the IAEA, and Zack T. Pate, Chairman-Emeritus of the World Association of Nuclear Operators.
[edit] 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 summarizes the responsibilities of the nuclear industry and the surrounding legal and institutional framework that has been constructed through international cooperation to fulfil President Eisenhower's seminal vision of 'Atoms for Peace'.
[edit] Membership
Institutional membership in the WNA is comprised mainly of companies, and the WNA's twice-yearly meetings have primarily a commercial focus.
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-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.
[edit] 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.
[edit] Activities and Services
[edit] Industry interaction
The 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.
[edit] Meetings
The WNA's Annual Symposium in London provides a forum for members, spotlights the role of the WNA's worldwide affiliates and serves as a platform for distinguished 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 on annual World Nuclear Fuel Cycle meetings for industry representatives concerned with nuclear fuel supply and in particular the uranium market.
[edit] Public information
The WNA public website is intended to provide the best available non-technical source of information on the global nuclear industry. The site presents news, reference documents, and a wide range of educational and explanatory papers which are constantly updated.
Backing up WNA information services is a specialist library at WNA headquarters in London. The WNA library is open to individuals by telephone appointment.
