Multilateral Cooperation

• The Generation IV International Forum (GIF)
• The Global Nuclear Energy Partnership (GNEP)
• The Nuclear Energy Agency (NEA)
• The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). 

Generation IV International Forum (GIF)

GIF was chartered in 2001 to lead the collaborative efforts of the world's leading nuclear nations to develop next generation nuclear energy systems to meet future global energy needs.  The Office of Nuclear Energy played a key role in reaching a major milestone in 2005 when Canada, France, Japan, the United Kingdom and the United States signed the GIF Framework Agreement, the world's first agreement aimed at the international development of advanced nuclear energy systems. The GIF Policy Group is responsible for the overall framework, policy formation and interactions with third parties. The Group meets two to three times a year to review past activities, provide guidance to the Experts Group and Systems Steering Committees and determine future program direction. INEPC supports U.S. participation in the Policy Group. ¹

U.S. delegation in Argentina for the U.S.-Argentina Joint Standing Committee for Nuclear Energy Cooperation meeting, April 2008

Global Nuclear Energy Partnership (GNEP)

GNEP is a partnership of states that share the common vision of the safe and secure development of nuclear energy for peaceful purposes worldwide.  The goal of GNEP is to offer a comprehensive approach to the safe and secure use of nuclear energy in a manner that specifically addresses seven major areas described as “Principles,” including support for reliable global nuclear fuel services as a viable alternative to the development of enrichment and reprocessing facilities indigenously.  The GNEP Statement of Principles was signed by 16 nations at the GNEP Ministerial meeting on September 16, 2007 in Vienna, Austria. The partnership now consists of 25 partner countries, three permanent international nongovernment observers and 28 participating observer countries.  GNEP has two working groups: infrastructure development and reliable nuclear fuel services.  INEPC plays an active role in developing and implementing the strategy, agenda, background papers and other support for major GNEP events.

International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)

Activities with IAEA include the International Project on Innovative Nuclear Reactors and Fuel Cycles (INPRO), an open international forum for studying nuclear energy options, associated requirements and potential deployment in IAEA Member States. The Office of International Nuclear Energy Policy and Cooperation also helps facilitate the Department of Energy's role at the IAEA General Conference, which meets once per year in Vienna, Austria.

¹ The thirteen charter members of GIF are Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Euratom, France, Japan, Republic of China, Republic of Korea, the Russian Federation, Republic of South Africa, Switzerland, the United Kingdom and the United States.  Of these, Argentina, Brazil and the Russian Federation have not ratified the Framework Agreement and are therefore considered inactive.