A new memorandum of understanding has been signed by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and the World Association of Nuclear Operators (WANO), the IAEA stated in a press release on Monday.

The revised memorandum is to reflect increased cooperation between the two organizations following the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear accident in March 2011.

The IAEA stated that through its "Nuclear Action Safety Plan" its members had urged it and WANO to strengthen their MoU to enhance information exchange and collaboration.

"The IAEA's Action Plan on Nuclear Safety emphasises the importance of working more closely with WANO and other international organizations, so that we can all better address the demands of the future," said IAEA Director General Yukiya Amano.

"This agreement is an important step in strengthening that cooperation and enhancing the flow of information on nuclear safety issues."

Chairman of WANO Laurent Stricker said WANO members also urged a revision of the MoU to improve the sharing of information and coordination in light of the disaster in Japan.

"An important lesson we learned from Fukushima was the need for WANO to be better connected to and engaged with the IAEA," he said.

The IAEA stated that plans were now in place to coordinate IAEA Operational Safety Review Team mission with WANO peer reviews, and to arrange periodic meetings with WANO to discuss major safety-related activities.