Structure and Resources

The WNU partnership encompasses all aspects of the world of nuclear technology: industry, intergovernmental agencies, and academia. Two of the WNU's "Founding Supporters" are industry organizations: the World Nuclear Association (WNA) and World Association of Nuclear Operators (WANO). The other two are intergovernmental organizations: the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and Nuclear Energy Agency of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD-NEA). In addition, the WNU partnership includes leading institutions of nuclear learning in some 30 countries (see 'supporters of the WNU').

The WNU was inaugurated in 2003 on the 50th anniversary of President Eisenhower's historic "Atoms for Peace initiative, the visionary proposal that gave birth to the IAEA. Within the UN system, the WNU is recognized as a "Partnership for Sustainable Development" by the UN Commission on Sustainable Development (CSD).

WNU programmes are run from the WNU Coordinating Centre under the leadership of a Board-appointed President.  The WNU President is Amb. John Ritch, WNA Director General, whose WNU work is a pro bono industry contribution to the WNU partnership. 

The WNU Board is chaired by Dr Zack Pate, WANO’s Chairman-Emeritus, a leader widely respected for his pioneering work at the U.S. Institute of Nuclear Power Operations and as a co-founder of WANO, the global nuclear safety organization. 

The WNU Chancellor and Vice-Chancellor provide leadership in specific WNU programmes and in building public support for the WNU agenda.  The WNU’s Chancellor is Dr Hans Blix, the IAEA’s Director General-Emeritus, who headed that UN agency for 16 years and later served as chief of the UN Monitoring, Verification and Inspection Commission.  The Vice-Chancellor is Dr Robert Hawley, former Chief Executive of British Energy.