Country Assessments and the IAEA Milestones Process1

The Milestones Report guides countries through phases for three key milestones, from the earliest point of committing to the concept of pursuing nuclear power to the actual start of operation of a nuclear power plant. Specifically, these milestones are: To address the explosion of interest in nuclear power among non-nuclear Member States, the IAEA published in 2007 a report titled “Milestones in the Development of a National Infrastructure for Nuclear Power” (“Milestones Report”) to serve as a guidance document and as a comprehensive, beginning-to-end strategy document for policymakers and implementing parties alike. As a supporter of the safe and secure global expansion of nuclear power, the United States government, particularly the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), has embraced the “Milestones Process,” which has been integrated into the 2009 Program Plan of Infrastructure Development Working Group (IDWG) of the 25-member Global Nuclear Energy Partnership (GNEP).