Acting SNRIU Chairman and Chief State Inspector for Nuclear and Radiation Safety of Ukraine Oleh KORIKOV and President of the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC) Rumina WELSHI signed a Memorandum of Understanding for cooperation and exchange of information on nuclear regulation. The Memorandum was signed at the SNRIU headquarters during President Welshi's visit to Ukraine from 15 to 18 August 2023.

Oleh KORIKOV emphasized the importance of expanding cooperation between the regulatory authorities of Ukraine and Canada, which is in the interests of both parties.

"We are very grateful that you visited Ukraine and signed this Memorandum of Cooperation. We are confident that this will establish the basis for productive cooperation in the future and contribute to achieving effective results in the field of nuclear and radiation safety," SNRIU Chairman said.

"My visit to Ukraine is a sign of solidarity and support. These are not only words, but also actions. I agree that the Memorandum is the basis and key instrument for cooperation and support of each other. And today we have to define the main areas in which we will work," said Rumina Welshi.

During the working meeting that followed the signing of the Memorandum, the parties discussed a number of perspective areas of cooperation in which the Canadian regulator has considerable experience. The priorities include cooperation in the area of conducting pre-licensing safety assessments of new nuclear facility designs (small modular reactors), as Canada is one of the leading countries in the world that is currently working on the introduction of new technologies in nuclear energy in view of the need to replace the facilities that have been operating since 1970-1980 and which have expired.

The second important focus area will be the issue of regulatory activities for decommissioning of uranium mining and processing facilities.

In addition, Ukrainian and Canadian regulators will cooperate on restoring safe operation of the temporarily occupied Zaporizhzhia NPP and other nuclear and radiation hazardous facilities affected by the war, and on improving regulatory activities for radioactive waste management.