Moscow. World Atomic Week, the largest international forum hosted by Russia’s state-owned energy giant Rosatom, opened Thursday with a clear message: nuclear power must become a central pillar of the world’s clean energy future.

The event, part of celebrations marking the 80th anniversary of Russia’s nuclear industry, has drawn participants from more than 100 countries, including Indonesia.

Speaking at the opening ceremony at Moscow’s Exhibition of Achievements of National Economy, Russia's Deputy Prime Minister Alexandr Novak said his country is a recognized international leader in the nuclear industry.

"Today, we are actively developing cooperation with many countries, building new, powerful power plants, and, of course, developing the nuclear industry," Novak said. "The Rosatom State Corporation not only builds the most modern and powerful units in the world but also actively develops science and technology in this industry."

Rosatom Director General Alexey Likhachev stressed that the global clean energy transition cannot succeed without strategic international partnerships.

"Our goal is to step together into a future in which there is no alternative to nuclear energy as the primary source of basic, clean, and environmentally friendly energy," Likhachev said.

"We are most grateful to our partners, representatives of international and national nuclear organizations, company representatives, and government representatives, for the fact that our cooperation and your trust only grow stronger year after year. We will do everything to justify this trust."

Global Demand for Nuclear Rising
Sama Bilbao y León, Director General of the World Nuclear Association (WNA), noted that demand for nuclear technology is increasing worldwide.

She said the association continues to see the growing importance of nuclear energy everywhere in the world. 

"As I go around the world and I have conversations about the future of clean energy, I talk to policymakers, to the finance community, to the large energy users, whether it is the technology companies or the large industrial companies that need lots of energy, not just electricity. And we all agree that nuclear energy has to be and is a key component of our future growth and our future development," Leon said.

As of 2025, 422 nuclear reactors operate in 33 countries, accounting for 10.5 percent of global electricity generation. Indonesia is among the nations exploring nuclear power as part of its future energy strategy.

The topic gained traction in June when Russian President Vladimir Putin told President Prabowo Subianto that Russia was ready to support Indonesia’s nuclear ambitions. More recently, Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto said Indonesia is finalizing plans for cooperation on Small Modular Reactors (SMRs).

Edy Giri Rachman Putra, Deputy Chair of the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN) for Science and Technology, who spoke at the Moscow event, emphasized nuclear’s potential to accelerate national development.

“Sooner or later, we will enter the era of nuclear energy. If we start now, it will accelerate many other sectors, because nuclear is an advanced technology,” Edy said.

World Atomic Week will run for four days, drawing more than 10,000 visitors. Exhibitions showcase the history and progress of nuclear technology in Russia and globally, while panel discussions cover themes including nuclear’s role in clean energy transition, the development of mini-reactors, and the participation of women and youth in the nuclear industry.