IYNC Newsletter #5
IYNC2026, Leaders Talk, AYNS25, IAEA General Conference, and more
One Year to Go: IYNC2026 Countdown Begins
The International Youth Nuclear Congress (IYNC2026) will take place in Avignon, France, on 4–9 October 2026.
IYNC2026 will bring together students and young professionals from across the globe to explore the future of nuclear science and technology — in conversation with industry leaders, innovators, and experts from every corner of the sector.
Mark your calendars, start preparing, and get ready to be part of the discussions that will shape the next generation of nuclear.
Leaders Talk
In this edition of Leaders Talk, we sat down with Mohcyne Ait Said, the IYNC Vice President of YGNs, to discuss the power of local action and global collaboration. From supporting national Young Generation in Nuclear chapters to representing youth voices at COP30 and the World Nuclear Exhibition, Mohcyne shares how IYNC is strengthening its global network, empowering young professionals, and uniting chapters around a shared vision for the future of nuclear.
Q. The IYNC community is built on the strength of national and regional YGN chapters. What are some of the biggest opportunities and challenges you see in supporting this global network?
The IYNC community, through its national and regional YGN chapters, provides a diverse platform to connect young professionals across borders. One of the most opportunities lies in knowledge sharing and capacity building; chapters can exchange best practices, technical expertise, and innovative approaches to nuclear science and technology. The network also allow leadership development, giving young professionals a good opportunity to take on international responsibilities early in their careers. Finally, it creates a strong global voice for youth in nuclear, helping to promote public engagement, diversity, and innovation in the nuclear sector.
At the same time, maintaining such a diverse global network is not without challenges. Differences in resources and organizational capacity across chapters is one of the most challenges and can make it difficult to ensure equal participation. In addition, communication across time zones, languages, and cultures can also be a barrier to smooth collaboration. As well, sustaining long-term engagement requires continuous motivation and alignment between local priorities and the global vision.
By embracing these opportunities and addressing the challenges through tools like digital collaboration platforms, mentorship programs, and resource-sharing initiatives, IYNC can strengthen its role as a truly inclusive and impactful global community for the next generation of nuclear leaders.
Q. With IYNC participating in both COP30 and the World Nuclear Exhibition (WNE), how can national YGNs make the most of these global platforms?
Global events like COP30 and the World Nuclear Exhibition (WNE) are among the greatest opportunity for national YGNs to showcase the voice, talent, and innovation of the young generation in nuclear. These platforms allow YGNs to highlight local initiatives on a global scale, connect with decision-makers, and demonstrate how young professionals are contributing to climate solutions and share their vision for the future of clean energy.
To make the most of them, national YGNs can actively engage by sharing success stories, participating in panel discussions, and networking with peers from other regions. They can also use these kind of events to build partnerships with nuclear stakeholders in international level, which will strengthen their local impact back home.
Ultimately, these global stages are not just about visibility, they are about empowering young professionals to influence and raise the narrative on nuclear energy and climate change, while promoting cohesion and shared purpose across the IYNC community.
Q. Are there any standout success stories, new initiatives, or regional collaborations within the YGN network that you’re especially excited about?
Yes, there are many inspiring stories across the YGN network. One that stands out is the way national YGNs are increasingly collaborating across borders, for instance through join workshops, technical visits, and regional conferences that create real opportunities for knowledge sharing and professional development.
I am also especially excited about the new initiatives that focus on diversity and outreach, where YGNs are increasingly engaging students, young professionals from other clean energy sectors, and the general public to build broader awareness about nuclear’s role in well addressing climate change.
Of course, there are countless success stories from YGNs all over the world. However, what impresses me the most are the experiences of the chapters coming from developing countries. Despite facing significant challenges, whether logistical, financial, or human resources availability. These YGNs continue to show distinguished creativity, determination, and passion. Their achievements are powerful reminders of the resilience and global spirit that define our network.
These efforts not only highlight the creativity and energy of young people in our field, but also strengthen the connections across regions, making the IYNC community more impactful and united.
Announcing AYNS25: The African Youth Nuclear Summit Heads to Abuja
The African Young Generation in Nuclear (AYGN) has officially announced the African Youth Nuclear Summit 2025 (AYNS25) — a landmark gathering of young professionals, experts, and stakeholders from across the continent.
📍 Abuja, Nigeria
📅 25–28 November 2025
AYNS25 will serve as a powerful platform to:
Empower the next generation of African nuclear leaders
Foster dialogue on innovation, safety, and sustainability
Strengthen collaboration across countries and institutions
Highlight the role of youth in advancing nuclear solutions in energy, health, agriculture, and beyond
This summit reflects the growing momentum of youth-led nuclear initiatives across Africa — and the central role young professionals are playing in shaping a clean, secure, and inclusive nuclear future.
👉 Register now: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/ayns2025-tickets-1647742876299?aff=oddtdtcreator
IYNC at Nucleus 2050: A Powerful Moment for Intergenerational Dialogue
IYNC was proud to take part in Nucleus 2050, an inspiring and action-oriented event held in Paris, which brought together nearly 100 participants to shape a shared vision for the future of nuclear energy.
Organized in collaboration with Sfen Jeune Génération, the European Nuclear Society Young Generation Network, and other partners, Nucleus 2050 convened both youth and senior leaders to explore how intergenerational collaboration can drive a cleaner, more resilient future.
A standout moment came from Bernard Salha, Chief Technical Officer of EDF Group, who reminded participants:
“You are the future. Take responsibilities.”
A simple but powerful message that continues to resonate across our global network.
The event also featured five hands-on workshops, where participants tackled key challenges for the future of nuclear:
Education & Training
Public Acceptance
Innovation & Partnerships
Financing
Advocacy & Attractivity
Each session produced practical ideas, fresh perspectives, and clear pathways for continued collaboration.
Nucleus 2050 reaffirmed what we at IYNC know to be true: the voice of the young generation is not just welcome — it is essential to the future of nuclear.
IAEA General Conference
The 67th IAEA General Conference took place in Vienna this past month — and, as per usual, it was one of the most important events in the nuclear calendar. One of the key messages this year: global nuclear ambition is rising fast. The IAEA’s latest projections show that nuclear capacity could grow from today’s ~377 GW to nearly 992 GW by 2050 in their high-case scenario — more than doubling current levels. Even the low-case projection sees a 50 % increase to 561 GW.
It’s a bold vision, but one that comes with serious expectations. As IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi put it:
“The world is demanding more from nuclear energy — and we must deliver.”
From clean energy goals to innovation in SMRs and reactor lifetime extensions, the themes were clear: scale, urgency, and inclusion.
We’ll continue to follow how these global ambitions translate into action — and ensure the voice of the next generation remains part of the conversation, whether or not we’re officially in the room.
IYNC at Roadmaps to New Nuclear 2025
IYNC President Benoit Erbacher proudly represented the organization at the Roadmaps to New Nuclear 2025 conference, hosted by the OECD Nuclear Energy Agency (NEA). The event brought together senior government and industry leaders to chart the path forward for nuclear deployment — and, crucially, included voices from the next generation.
During the Workforce Development session, co-chaired by Sophie Mourlon and Carol Berrigan, Benoit highlighted how IYNC actively supports international knowledge transfer — a founding principle of the organization. His intervention focused on two key mechanisms:
Connecting young generation networks worldwide, and supporting the creation of new YGNs in emerging nuclear countries
Enabling intergenerational exchange through IYNC’s biannual congress and the Leaders4Nuclear mentoring and leadership program
We thank the OECD NEA for inviting a delegation of young professionals — a strong signal that building the future of nuclear means giving space to those who will lead it.