Ladies and gentlemen, I offer you a cordial welcome to this second Annual Symposium of the World Nuclear Association.

It is in fact the 27th in a series extending back through the life of our predecessor organisation, the Uranium Institute.

We have done our best to make this year's event both lively and valuable.

At last year's Inaugural Symposium of the WNA, we had a unusually large turnout, and this year I am encouraged that attendance is even greater.

During these proceedings, and afterwards, we welcome your feedback as to how we can make the Symposium still better.

Please contact any member of the WNA secretariat with your ideas.

We work for you.

In the 16 months since we began to build the World Nuclear Association on the foundation of the Uranium Institute, we have been busy.

We are, I believe, making real progress in building an organisation to help support the global nuclear industry in this new century when nuclear power will play such a central role in meeting human and environmental needs.

I greatly appreciate the strong support I have received from existing members, and it has been a genuine pleasure to welcome so many new members as the WNA grows.

It is a matter of simple candour to say that we have two schools of thought in the WNA, living under one roof.

One school emphasizes commercial and technical interaction on matters relating directly to the nuclear fuel cycle.

The other emphasizes promotional activity to advance public understanding of nuclear power in a way that enhances the common interests of our members.

To serve our entire membership, we on the Secretariat are working to give full and balanced attention to both dimensions.

In both areas - commercial and public - we invite not just your feedback but also your active engagement.

The Secretariat provides staff support for the WNA's many working groups, but their lifeblood is your involvement.

Similarly, we want to build the closest possible relationship with those in your companies who represent you in the public domain.

Our goal is to help them make their case well, as we continue to build public appreciation of this indispensable clean-energy technology.

Let me now give way to Mr. Jerry Grandey, who is not only our distinguished Chairman of the Board but also the moderator of our first session this morning.

I wish you all an enjoyable and productive Symposium.