22 Countries Including the US, France, and the UK Join to Triple Nuclear Power Capacity

Adoption of Net Zero Nuclear Support Declaration

Twenty-two countries worldwide, including the United States, France, the United Kingdom, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), and Sweden, have pledged international cooperation to triple the global nuclear power capacity by 2050.

On the 2nd, the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy announced on the 3rd that 22 countries, including the Republic of Korea, adopted a declaration of support for the "Net Zero Nuclear Initiative" containing this commitment in Dubai, UAE.

The Net Zero Nuclear Initiative is a global climate agenda that recognizes nuclear power as a clean energy source to address the urgent climate crisis, pledges international cooperation to triple the global nuclear power capacity by 2050, and calls for national support in finance, fiscal policy, technology development, and securing supply chains to achieve this goal.

At the event, Kang Kyung-sung, the 2nd Vice Minister of the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, stated in his speech supporting the Net Zero Nuclear Initiative, "The Republic of Korea recognizes nuclear power as a clean energy source and strongly supports tripling the global nuclear power generation capacity," adding, "Korea is already participating in the international community's efforts to address the climate crisis by promoting the expansion of nuclear power's role in the energy mix."

Vice Minister Kang continued, "Through participation in overseas nuclear power projects, Korea will share its technology and experience across the entire nuclear power industry cycle, including safe design, construction, and operation, with the world," emphasizing Korea's competitiveness as a nuclear cooperation partner by stating, "Since starting its first nuclear power plant construction in 1972, Korea has built 36 nuclear power plants and, based on stable power supply, has elevated industries such as semiconductors, secondary batteries, and shipbuilding to a world-class level."

This declaration of support is significant in that a global consensus is forming on the critical role of nuclear power in responding to the climate crisis and achieving carbon neutrality goals. Notably, national leaders such as French President Emmanuel Macron, U.S. Special Presidential Envoy for Climate John Kerry, and Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson attended, reaffirming the elevated status and international interest in nuclear power as a means to address the climate crisis.