A groundbreaking ceremony has been held at the Minerva particle accelerator construction site in Mol, Belgium, marking the start of the first of three phases of the development of the Myrrha accelerator-driven research reactor.

Leaders and representatives from 32 countries at the Nuclear Energy Summit backed measures in areas such as financing, technological innovation, regulatory cooperation and workforce training to enable the expansion of nuclear capacity to tackle climate change and boost energy security.

Following the signing of a strategic three-year partnership with Thorizon of the Netherlands, Belgian engineering firm Tractebel - a subsidiary of France's Engie - will provide engineering services including support on the conceptual design, computational modelling, cost estimates and design reviews of the Thorizon One molten salt reactor.

The European Commission has given approval for a project by Belgium's Nuclear Research Centre and the Centre for Metallurgical Research to develop an advanced smelter for metal generated through the dismantling of nuclear power plants.

Belgium has a robust national infrastructure for the management of radioactive waste and used fuel, an International Atomic Energy Agency mission has said, and recommended the development of consolidated policies for specific waste streams and for decision-making on a geological repository.

A final agreement has been signed between the Belgian government and French utility Engie to extend the operation of the Tihange 3 and Doel 4 nuclear power reactors by 10 years and on all obligations related to radioactive waste.

Ontario Power Generation subsidiary Laurentis Energy Partners is joining forces with Tractebel and Hatch to develop a one-stop shop to support industrial small modular reactor clients worldwide.

Five partners from Belgium, Italy, Romania and the USA have signed a memorandum of understanding to collaborate on the development, demonstration and commercialisation of lead-cooled small modular reactors.

A framework agreement to extend the operation of the Doel 4 and Tihange 3 power reactors by 10 years has been signed between French utility Engie and the Belgian federal government. Meanwhile, Belgium's Federal Agency for Nuclear Control has set out "its expectations regarding nuclear safety" for the extended operation of the units.