UAE submits national nuclear security report

This week, the UAE will present its national report at the Eighth and Ninth Joint Review Meetings of Contracting Parties to the Convention on Nuclear Safety (CNS) at the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) headquarters in Vienna, Austria.

Ambassador Hamad al-Qabi, Permanent Representative of the UAE to the IAEA, introduced the report during the meeting. The report is a collective effort of various stakeholders in the UAE, including the Federal Authority for Nuclear Regulation (FANR), the Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation (ENEC), the National Emergency, Crisis and Disasters Management Authority (NCEMA) and other key organisations.

The purpose of the report is to describe the legislative, regulatory and administrative measures taken by the UAE to fulfill its obligations as a party to the Convention on Nuclear Safety. The national report highlights significant changes to the UAE’s nuclear energy program since the last review meeting.

The report highlights the efforts of the Barakah Nuclear Power Plant, which has three of its four reactors in commercial operation and feeds power into the UAE National Grid and FANR’s regulatory and inspection regime, in obtaining licensing. The national report concluded that the UAE continues to meet its obligations under the Convention on Nuclear Safety.

“The UAE has become a role model for newcomer countries in nuclear power and was the first country in the Arab region to operate a nuclear power plant. Nuclear safety is of paramount importance to the UAE nuclear sector. contribute to the realization of the UAE’s vision of diversifying its energy mix,” said Ambassador Al Kaabi.

“The review process has resulted in broad recognition of the UAE’s nuclear security framework, confirming that we have fulfilled all international obligations and adopted best practices in the field of nuclear security,” he added.

The UAE has been a party to the Convention since 2009. The Convention on Nuclear Safety (CNS) aims to commit contracting parties operating land-based civil nuclear power plants to maintain a high level of safety by establishing fundamental safety principles agreed upon by nations.

The Convention is based on the mutual interest of the parties to achieve a higher level of safety, which will be developed and promoted through regular meetings. It requires contracting parties to submit reports on their fulfillment of their “peer review” obligations at meetings, usually held at the Agency’s headquarters. This mechanism is the main innovative and dynamic element of the Convention.