The third Global Nuclear Energy Partnership (GNEP) Executive Committee meeting was held in Beijing on Friday, on which its member countries stressed to support a peaceful and safe use of nuclear energy.

Zhang Guobao, director of the National Administration of Energy, presided over the meeting. In an opening address, Zhang said nuclear energy that is clear, safe and greenhouse gas emission-free, would play a crucial role in the world energy system.

At the meeting, the Executive Committee reconfirmed that safety, security and non-proliferation were fundamental prerequisites for the peaceful use of nuclear energy. All partnership activities should be conducted in a manner to enhance them.

According to the GNEP Joint Statement issued at the meeting, the partners will further strengthen cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency and other relevant international organizations.

Partners will also consider new approaches to enhance international collaboration on nuclear power infrastructure, and to make nuclear energy more widely accessible to the international community in accordance with safety, security and nonproliferation objectives.

"The expansion of the peaceful use of nuclear energy would help lead to the creation of employment and sustainable economic growth." said the joint statement.

Yury Sokolov, Deputy Director General of the IAEA, appraised GNEP's achievements, promising the IAEA will continue to work with GNEP and experts from GNEP member states to provide coordination with the agency's work.

The GNEP is an international organization aimed to promote the use of clean fuel technology worldwide and reduce the risk of nuclear proliferation, with participation from 25 partners, 31 observer nations, and three international organizations.