Andra goes global in 2025!
The French Radioactive Waste Agency, Andra, maintains a strong commitment to international cooperation with its sister organisations worldwide. Through long-term capacity building, knowledge sharing and a robust peer-review culture, Andra contributes to the safe and transparent management of radioactive waste. In 2025, the Agency further strengthened its international engagement across bilateral and multilateral frameworks. This article looks back at some of the key milestones achieved during the year.
New partnerships in 2025
In 2025, Andra signed two new cooperation agreements, reinforcing its international collaboration framework.
The first is a Cooperation Accord concluded with PURAM (Hungary). This agreement focuses on a range of technical topics, including the monitoring of disposal cells, airflow management in construction areas to prevent fire hazards, safety systems and construction methodologies, among other aspects. The cooperation aims to foster mutual learning and the exchange of operational experience.
The second agreement, a Practical Arrangement signed between Andra and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) during the World Nuclear Exhibition, strengthens a long-standing collaboration. It reflects the recognition of France’s expertise and Andra’s technical contribution in the field of radioactive waste management within the international nuclear community.
Active role in international organisations
Andra plays an active role within international nuclear organisations, notably the IAEA and the Nuclear Energy Agency (NEA). In 2025, Andra experts contributed to five publications issued under the auspices of the IAEA and the NEA, illustrating the Agency’s involvement in international technical work and knowledge development.
Through its participation in expert groups, working parties and peer-review processes, Andra contributes to the sharing of best practices and the continuous improvement of international standards related to radioactive waste management.
Renewed long-term cooperation
In addition to new agreements, Andra renewed three long-standing cooperation partnerships in 2025 with ENRESA (Spain), KORAD (Republic of Korea) and SOGIN (Italy). These bilateral cooperations cover a broad range of topics, extending beyond technical matters to include communication strategies, licensing processes and safety reviews.
Within this framework, Andra also provided technical expertise to several countries, including through the review of programme-related documentation and the sharing of operational feedback in support of national radioactive waste management programmes.
A strong international presence on the ground
Beyond formal cooperation agreements, Andra’s staff engaged in exchanges with representatives from more than 25 countries throughout 2025, reflecting the Agency’s openness to dialogue and international collaboration.
Andra also maintained a strong presence at international events, participating in over 20 conferences, symposiums and forums during the year. These engagements provided opportunities to share experience and technical expertise while promoting a safe and transparent approach to radioactive waste management.
In 2025, Andra hosted the IAEA Underground Research Facilities (URF) Network Technical Meeting at its facilities. Nearly 50 participants took part in this hybrid event, with 21 experts attending on site and 25 joining online. During the meeting, Andra presented its activities related to the Underground Research Laboratory through several technical presentations and working group sessions, covering topics such as construction techniques and drift support, geochemistry, and safety demonstration and operational aspects. Participants also visited the Underground Research Laboratory. In addition, an above-ground bus tour was organised to present the future surface facilities of the Cigéo project, during which Andra experts explained the planned layout and functions of the main installations.
During the year, Andra also hosted the NEA Forum on Stakeholder Confidence (FSC) at its facilities. This event brought together over 30 experts from national agencies, regulatory authorities and international organisations to exchange views on dialogue and stakeholder engagement in radioactive waste management projects. Participants also visited several Andra sites, including the Underground Research Laboratory.
More broadly, Andra welcomed over 40 international delegations to its facilities in 2025, offering insight into its waste management solutions and operational practices across different categories of radioactive waste.
organisations with which Andra maintains long-term cooperations
countries engaged with in 2025
international delegations hosted in 2025
Looking ahead
Overall, Andra continued to strengthen its international footprint in 2025 through new and renewed cooperation agreements, active participation in international organisations, contributions to technical publications and sustained engagement with international partners. Building on this momentum, the Agency will continue to maintain a high level of international involvement in 2026, in support of shared objectives for the safe and responsible management of radioactive waste.