[en] Safe handling of nuclear waste is one of the key issues for long-term protection of the environment and for the use of nuclear energy. In this opening talk, the author is looking back over the four years, from the previous conference of a similar type, which held in Denver, Colorado Usa, and attempts to summarize what are the most important events and trends of those years. He analyzes and discusses then the progress, the positive trends and increased efforts. (A.L.B.)