The International Ministerial Conference on Nuclear Energy in the 21st Century ended in Beijing on Wednesday with a statement stressing international cooperation.

The international community should continue strengthening cooperation on research and development of advanced nuclear technologies and concerted efforts on non-proliferation, the statement said.

Each country should take responsibility for the safe management of spent nuclear fuel, which for some countries included reprocessing and recycling, as well as the disposal of radioactive waste, it said.

The three-day conference, organized by China and the International Atomic Energy Agency, attracted energy ministers or other representatives from 61 countries and seven international organizations.

(Xinhua News Agency April 23, 2009)