The 32^nd International Conference Nuclear Energy for New Europe, traditionally organised by the Nuclear Society of Slovenia, was held in Portorož, from 11^th to 14^th September 2023. The primary objective of the meeting is to foster international cooperation amongst professionals from nuclear utilities, nuclear research organisations, educational institutions, industrial companies, and regulatory bodies. This year our conference brought together experts from all above-mentioned aspects with a special focus on electricity generation using nuclear technologies in existing and future nuclear power plants.

Nuclear. The surest path to a brighter future. With this conference slogan, we emphasise the importance of nuclear energy as a key clean energy source, enabling countries to achieve ambitious international and national climate and energy goals effectively and efficiently. But not only climate and energy goals. Nuclear energy is furthering all seventeen United Nations sustainable development goals, including healthcare, food security, access to clean water, industry, and economic growth.

The conference was attended by 274 participants from 20 countries worldwide and international organizations.

Highlights of the conference:

6 invited lectures,
interactive round table debate on capacity building for nuclear energy deployment and
176 scientific papers were presented either orally or as posters.

We also kept the conference tradition and organized the young authors contest. We would like to thank 32 young authors from 8 countries who participated in the contest. Special thanks go to the Young Author Award committee members who diligently worked through the excellent papers.

Young Author Awards were presented to:

Caroline Denier for the paper “Experimental Measurements of Thermophysical Properties of Several Corium Compositions and Influence on Fuel-Coolant Interaction”, co-authored by Emmanuel de Bilbao, Jules Delacroix, Pascal Piluso

and

Tanja Goričanec for the paper “Intermediate Range Detectors for Control Rod Worth Measurements with Rod Insertion Method”, co-authored by Luka Snoj, Marjan Kromar

Following the tradition of previous meetings, we have also organized the Best Poster Award. We also thank the Best Poster Award committee members who evaluated the posters according to the clearness of objectives, results and conclusions, aesthetics and attractiveness, and scientific relevance.

Best Poster Awards were given to posters entitled:

“Experimental Measurements of Thermophysical Properties of Several Corium Compositions and Influence on Fuel-Coolant Interaction” by Caroline Denier, Emmanuel de Bilbao, Jules Delacroix, Pascal Piluso

and

“Experimental and Computational Validation of Novel Depletion Algorithm in the RAPID Code System using JSI TRIGA reactor” by Anže Pungerčič, Alireza Haghighat, Luka Snoj

Finally, we would like to recognize the support of all our sponsors.

We express special thanks to the awards committees, which demonstrated exceptional skill and taste with a thoughtful selection of the best contributions from the Young Author Award Committee and the Best Poster Award Committee. We sincerely thank the Program Committee members for their selfless efforts in gathering contributions and developing the program. The Organisers' inspiring enthusiasm and dedication, enriched by sponsors' support, undoubtedly deserve exceptional recognition.

We are looking forward to meeting you all again at the 33^rd International Conference Nuclear Energy for New Europe, Portorož, Slovenia, September 9 to 12, 2024.

Melita Lenošek Kavčič	dr. Tomaž Žagar
Chair, Organizing Committee	Chair, Program Committee
	President of Nuclear Society of Slovenia