As more and more nuclear facilities around the world enter to the phase of final shutdown and move to the stage of decommissioning, it is important to gain experience in effective and transparent interaction with stakeholders: local communities, regional organizations and society as a whole.

This was stated by the participants of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Technical Meeting on the stakeholders involvement in the process of Nuclear Facilities Decommissioning, which took place from 20 to 24 July 2026 in the IAEA headquarters in Vienna (Austria). Denys Khomenko, SSE ChNPP Deputy Technical Director (for Operation), presented the Chornobyl plant at the event.

During the meetings, Denys Khomenko presented the company's practical experience in involving stakeholders during the decommissioning of the Chornobyl NPP units and the Shelter object transformation into an environmentally safe system. The Ukrainian side emphasized that repurposing the site and preserving its potential assets constitute an effective instrument for mitigating the socio-economic consequences of the plant's shutdown. This is fully consistent with the modern principles of sustainable development and the circular economy.

“Community involvement and open dialogue with stakeholders is an important communication task, which is a fundamental condition for the successful repurposing of the Chornobyl site. The experience of the Chornobyl NPP proves that decommissioning does not signify the end of the facility's lifecycle, but rather preparation for a new stage of its life cycle”, Denys Khomenko emphasized.

During the meeting, the Chornobyl NPP specialist actively participated in specialized interactive training sessions and simulation exercises aimed to develop skills for managing complex public engagement scenarios and resolving conflicts of interest. A significant outcome of the meeting was the expert contribution made by the Chornobyl NPP to the ongoing review and revision of the IAEA Nuclear Energy Series publication NW-T-2.5, Overview of Stakeholder Involvement in Decommissioning.

Ukraine's unique practical experience will contribute to the further development of international guidance on effective public engagement in nuclear projects. The knowledge, analytical materials and international tools acquired during the meeting will be thoroughly analysed by the Company's specialists for their subsequent practical application at the Chornobyl Nuclear Power Plant site.