The purpose of this meeting is to review and share international experience and exchange expert views on best practices in the initiation, performance, review, approval and implementation of minor, major and temporary design modifications at nuclear power plants (NPPs) throughout their lifetime (i.e. from initial design to decommissioning) for safe, reliable, economically efficient and administratively effective operation. The meeting also aims to collect feedback and input from Member States on challenges and needs in order to focus IAEA activities on the design modification decisions, design control and technical support processes and programmes in support of NPPs and nuclear power programmes.

The particular goals of the meeting are:

• To discuss case studies, good practices, problems identified and lessons learned in NPP design modification and associated technical support;
• To provide a forum in which participants can discuss common challenges, opportunities for cooperation, concerns and issues that their countries/organizations are facing or likely to face in the nuclear power programme;
• To allow participants to provide input and feedback on the efforts undertaken and guidance provided by the IAEA on good practices related to design decisions, design control and technical support processes and programmes; and
• To provide a forum for participants to improve their knowledge at the national or international level.