Marking the 20th Anniversary of its establishment this year, the RCARO hosted the International Symposium on 15 December 2022 in Daejeon, sponsored by the Ministry of Science and ICT and other relevant institutes in Korea. Under the theme, “Cooperative Leadership in Nuclear Science & Technology and Sustainable Development in the Asia-Pacific Region: Future Vision of the RCARO,” the Symposium aimed to bring together diverse RCA stakeholders to share their valuable experience and insights on the regional cooperation with the RCA and RCARO and explore further collaborative opportunities for the benefits of the RCA GPs. More than 250 delegates, including speakers and panels from the RCA, IAEA and relevant institutes, attended the event. 

The symposium consisted of the opening ceremony, two sessions and a panel discussion. At the opening, Mr Park Pill-hwan, Director of RCA Regional Office, officially opened the Symposium and appreciated the guests for their participation to the meaningful event. Following the opening remarks, Mr Oh Tae-seok, 1st Vice Minister of Science and ICT, gave his speech and warmly welcomed the participants. Dr Rafael Mariano Grossi, Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Dr Lee Kwang-hyung, President of Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), and Mr Jo Seoung-lae, Member of the National Assembly, Korea, delivered their congratulatory remarks, congratulating the 20th anniversary of the RCARO and expressing their strong support and expectation to the RCARO achieving its future vision. 

Following were the three keynote speeches which set out the underlying objectives of the Symposium as follows;

- Fifty Years of Regional Cooperative Agreement: Past, Present and Future by Dr Rafael Mariano Grossi (Director General, International Atomic Energy Agency)

- Nuclear Technology and Sustainable Development by Dr Joo Han-kyu (President, Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute)

- Technical Cooperation in Nuclear Techniques for the Asia-Pacific Region: Challenges and Opportunities by Dr Hahn Pil-soo (Former IAEA Director, Division of Radiation, Transport and Waste Safety)

Next two sessions comprised of seven presentations by renowned experts, both in the nuclear science and technology and RCA. 

The first session on “Strategic Approach to Goal Achievements for the RCA” covered directions for how the RCA can evolve and work as an effective framework to address the regional needs and contribute to achieving the sustainable development. To give an idea, a successful case of a Nuclear Master’s Degree Programme initiated by the RCARO was also presented.

The second session was on “Dissemination of Nuclear Technology through Technical Cooperation” which dealt with specific components of the RCA Programme and its activities, supported and complemented by the RCARO, for enhancing the capability of the region in nuclear technology. The importance of reinforcing capacity building and research activities in the RCA were highlighted during the session.