Government of Ukraine to held an international conference dedicated to the 30th anniversary of the nuclear disaster at Chernobyl NPP

The Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine has decided to hold in 2016 a broad international donor conference dedicated to the 30th anniversary of the nuclear disaster at Chernobyl. Prime Minister of Ukraine Arseniy Yatsenyuk informed this during his working trip to the Chernobyl NPP, on Thursday, 9 July. 

Arseniy Yatsenyuk has reminded that 2016 marks the 30th anniversary of the disaster at the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant.

"This tragedy has become a challenge for the entire world, and the attention of the entire world should be focused on an international conference," he stressed.

"We invite all donors and contributors to take part in a broad international conference," the Prime Minister underlined.

In addition, Arseniy Yatsenyuk said that the donors meeting of the Chernobyl Shelter Fund will be held on July 16 in London. He stressed that before this event, the Ukrainian Parliament should adopt the law concerning the additional financing of the needs of the Chernobyl NPP and exclusion zone: "It's about 135 million dollars to provide funding for the Chernobyl nuclear power plant, in particular the Shelter.

He has recalled that it’s expected a new protective structure known as the New Safe Confinement will be completed in 2017. The Prime Minister has noted that this "object unprecedented in world history." It is built by experts from 23 countries, Ukraine is carrying our a third part of all the works.

"Ukraine is to complete the first phase of the object, and then we will have to think over how to operate this facility," he emphasized.

Arseniy Yatsenyuk addressed Vice Prime Minister of Ukraine Valeriy Voschevsky "to raise the issue of financing this facility after 2017" during the donor conference in London on July 16: "It will be difficult for Ukraine to do it alone. I am looking forward to the support of our international partners."

Moreover, the PM pointed out that it’s expected that the dry spent fuel storage facility will start fully operating in 2017.