On May 21, the inauguration ceremony of the International Atomic Energy Field Talent Exchange and Development Alliance was held in Harbin.

SHEN Lixin, Deputy Director-General of the Department of International Cooperation of the China Atomic Energy Authority (CAEA), SHI Zhaohui, Deputy Director-General of the Department of Science and Technology of Heilongjiang Province, and YIN Jingwei, President of Harbin Engineering University (HEU), attended the ceremony and delivered speeches. Mikhail Chudakov, Deputy Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), delivered a video address.

SHEN Lixin expressed the hope that all parties would deepen cooperation in nuclear science and technology innovation, education and talent development, jointly build a high-level platform for talent exchange, enhance the sharing of higher education resources, and co-develop nuclear-related disciplines through consultation, contributing nuclear capabilities to address global challenges.

SHI Zhaohui expressed the hope that, taking this alliance working meeting as an opportunity, all parties would deepen joint talent cultivation, promote substantive cooperation such as young scholar exchanges and postdoctoral fellowships, and contribute the strength of Heilongjiang Province to building a shared future for global nuclear safety.

Chudakov stated that the IAEA has long maintained close cooperation with the CAEA and HEU. Within the global nuclear energy cooperation network led by the IAEA, HEU will continue to play an irreplaceable role as a “smart engine”, cultivating more nuclear talents for the world who possess both integrity and expertise and are capable of leading the future.

YIN Jingwei expressed the hope that the establishment of the alliance would serve as an opportunity to use talent as a link to build an open, inclusive, and mutually beneficial multilateral cooperation platform, promote innovation in nuclear energy technology, safety governance, industrial collaboration, and talent mobility, contribute to the vision of a “green future”, and provide wisdom and strength for the sustainable development of global nuclear energy.

Witnessed by all Chinese and international guests, the “International Atomic Energy Field Talent Exchange and Development Alliance” was officially established.

At the meeting, the launch ceremony of the IAEA Lise Meitner Programme (LMP) was held. IAEA representative Frederik Reitsma introduced the Lise Meitner Programme and announced that the programme would be officially hosted at HEU.

The Lise Meitner Programme (LMP) and the Marie Sklodowska-Curie Fellowship Programme (MSCFP) are the IAEA's two flagship initiatives to promote gender equality in the nuclear field worldwide. HEU has become the first university in China to implement this programme, which not only represents an active response to the IAEA's initiative but also demonstrates China's leadership in promoting diversity and inclusiveness in global nuclear governance.

During the academic exchange session, four experts and scholars delivered plenary presentations. Concurrently, the Youth Forum on Atomic Energy was held, at which six young scholars from China and abroad gave keynote speeches.

On May 22, the first working meeting of the alliance members was convened. The meeting reviewed and approved the “2026–2027 Talent Exchange and Cooperation Action List” and the annual work plan.

During the conference, Chinese and international representatives visited the nuclear science laboratories at HEU.