The first ever Nuclear Energy Summit, which opens in Brussels on 21 March, is a strong political signal, recognising the essential role of nuclear power for many countries around the world on the road to net zero, Belgian prime minister Alexander De Croo said.

De Croo, who will be co-chairing summit with International Atomic Energy Agency director-general Rafael Grossi, said the war in Ukraine has “opened our eyes in Europe to the fact that we can no longer depend on others for our own energy needs”.