A quadrennial, high-level policy event organized by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) kicked off its three-day run in the western port city of Incheon on Tuesday, facilitating discussion on the progress of new nuclear technologies, effective regulation and opportunities for industry growth. The International Ministerial Conference on Nuclear Power was held for the first time in Korea this year, bringing together some 800 participants, including government officials from 60 member nations, non-governmental organizations and companies in the nuclear industry. The event comes as global investments in the nuclear sector grows, amid the rapid rise in artificial intelligence (AI) and advanced industries fueling demand for energy, Science Minister Bae Kyung-hoon said in an opening address. "Nuclear power is a key source (of energy) that can provide a large amount of low-carbon electricity day and night," he said, noting that global nuclear capacity could more than triple from last year's level by 2060. "We must now work together to decide what we need to prepare and how we can opera