Forum on Stakeholder Confidence held by Andra
France played a central role in this year’s Forum on Stakeholder Confidence. Experts, authorities’ representatives and professionals from around the world gathered to exchange views on dialogue, transparency and the role of stakeholders in long-term radioactive waste disposal.
On October 20-21, 2025, Andra’s facilities in the Meuse/Haute-Marne region held the 2025 Forum on Stakeholder Confidence (FSC) – a globally recognized event organised each year under the Nuclear Energy Agency (NEA), part of the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD).
Over 30 experts and representatives from national agencies, regulation authorities and international organisations gathered to exchange on dialogue and stakeholders’ engagement in projects related to radioactive waste management. Representatives from Canada, Australia, Japan, as well as many European neighbours (Belgium, Germany, Sweden, Switzerland…) attended and participated in the workshop.
The Cigéo project underlying all exchanges
Some of the discussions focused on the implemented initiatives to enhance local information centres’ attractivity and encourage regular consultations with local communities on the specificities related to radioactive waste disposal projects, specifically in regions with no prior nuclear presence. How to ensure a continuous dialogue with stakeholders in the face of political and generational evolutions was also one of the main focuses during the discussions.
"France is doing an excellent job of presenting the project, while highlighting the safety and the ongoing work to ensure a safe facility in the future." – John Thelen
Implanted in the region for over 30 years and having included local stakeholders since the very beginning, Andra, through its Cigéo project, managed to illustrate the issues at stake and outlined a number of actions and initiatives taken in France to involve local communities in the long-term management of a long-term project. To this end, Andra gave the floor to the stakeholders involved: local elected officials, representative of the state to the region, Clis’s general secretary, Public Interest Group director, EDF and representative of the Energic 52/55 association.
Learn from the experience of others
The two days of discussions, combined with the visits of Andra’s facilities were perceived as very instructive by the participants. John Thelen, form Canada’s nuclear safety authority, said: “It was very important to be here, surrounded by international representatives from all around the world. France is doing an amazing job at introducing and presenting the project, while highlighting the safety and the currently undergoing work to ensure a safe facility in the future”. He also highlighted that a lot of changes were made since his last visit, 12 years ago: “changes not only in the way to communicate, but also in the importance of underground research”. He also added “the French project is a great example that will help other countries fulfil their role in the future”.
Dagmar Dehmer, head of communication at the German national agency for radioactive waste management (BGE), emphasised on: “the importance of having a professional discussion on communication issues” because they “truly help nourish the reflexion”. She also said that she: “greatly appreciated seeing the progress made on the French project, and the way in which certain safety issues have been addressed”, adding that “seeing other countries respond to these challenges always allows us to learn from their experiences in order to propose the best solutions”.
France is seen as a pioneer country
Issues brought up by foreign participants also help motivate French participants and representatives. Cynthia Réaud, from the ASNR, said: “what is especially interesting, is the feedback brought by other countries, and the testimonies of local actors. These discussions, like the ones we have with the ANCCLI and the Clis de Bure, to which Andra is an observer, allow for a continuous trust between national and local actors”. She also said that: “some issues, like attracting younger populations, are encountered by all countries” and that “France is often looked upon as a pioneer country in the implementation of a long-term open dialogue with local stakeholders, as all actors work alongside in trust and transparency”.
The discussions went on with the FSC plenary meeting.
This event once again highlighted the importance of dialogue and experience sharing between countries to strengthen public confidence and support long-term waste management projects.