The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and the International Tunnelling and Underground SpaceAssociation met in Vienna on Friday, 26 September. The delegation from IAEA led by Olena Mykolaichuk,Director of the Division of Nuclear Fuel Cycle and Waste Technology, met with Daniel Garbutt, Arnold Dix,Helen Roth and Andrea Pigorini of the ITA to explore future collaboration in the development of GeologicalDisposal Facilities (GDFs) for higher activity radioactive waste.

Statement from the International Tunnelling and Underground Space Association (ITA) on progressing
a collaboration focused on supporting Geological Disposal Facilities across our Member States.
The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and the International Tunnelling and Underground Space
Association met in Vienna on Friday, 26 September. The delegation from IAEA led by Olena Mykolaichuk,
Director of the Division of Nuclear Fuel Cycle and Waste Technology, met with Daniel Garbutt, Arnold Dix,
Helen Roth and Andrea Pigorini of the ITA to explore future collaboration in the development of Geological
Disposal Facilities (GDFs) for higher activity radioactive waste.
This cooperation builds on IAEA’s recent work — developed with substantial support from the ITA — that
resulted in a draft publication that is focused on managing the transition to accessing the underground for
Geological Disposal Facilities, led by Scientific Secretary Gerald Nieder-Westermann, IAEA officer in the
Division of Nuclear Fuel Cycle and Waste Technology. The draft is currently in the publication process at
the IAEA. Recognising the need for waste management organisations to integrate safety considerations
with the realities of underground construction, the ITA will continue to find ways to work together with
the IAEA to support addressing this challenge.
To this end, the ITA has launched a dedicated special interest group, established in close cooperation with
the IAEA, to help industry better understand the specific requirements of GDF development. Through this
initiative, both organisations will provide Member States with the knowledge and technical support to
effectively deliver and maintain the underground infrastructure needed to provide for the safe disposal of
radioactive waste.
“For ITA, this initiative represents a significant opportunity to contribute our global expertise in
underground engineering to one of the most critical and enduring tasks of our time,” said Andrea Pigorini,
President of ITA. “We are committed to contributing our underground expertise to help shape solutions
that will protect people and the planet for generations to come.”
The IAEA publication that forms the foundation for this collaboration highlights the critical stage when
programs move from surface investigations to underground access, requiring close integration of scientific,
technical and sociopolitical considerations. This work will support bridging the gap between safety case
and engineering realities, underlining the importance of engaging with the tunnelling and underground
construction community.
The ITA initiative will foster cross-border knowledge exchange, promote best practices in underground
construction, and support repository designs that serve future generations. The ITA is proud to announce
Arnold Dix, a Past President of ITA, as Chair of the new initiative bringing capable leadership and
experience to this vital effort.
The ITA remains committed to advancing safe and resilient underground solutions and looks forward to
working together with the IAEA in supporting the international community for the successful development
of Geological Disposal Facilities worldwide.