The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has presented its Fifth National Report on compliance with the Joint Convention on the Safety of Spent Fuel Management and Radioactive Waste Management at the 8th Review Meeting of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in Vienna, Austria.
Led by Ambassador Hamad Al Kaabi, the UAE’s Permanent Representative to the IAEA, the delegation included representatives from the Federal Authority for Nuclear Regulation (FANR), Emirates Nuclear Energy Company (ENEC), and other national stakeholders. The report highlights the UAE’s commitment to nuclear safety, regulatory advancements, and waste management strategies in line with international best practices.
Ambassador Al Kaabi stated,
“The UAE remains dedicated to the highest standards of nuclear safety and security, ensuring a transparent and sustainable approach to spent fuel and radioactive waste management.”
The report outlines key legislative and regulatory measures, including FANR-issued regulations on radiation protection, facility decommissioning, and waste disposal. It also details ENEC’s Barakah Nuclear Power Plant, which features a spent fuel storage system capable of holding fuel for 20 years before transitioning to dry storage. In 2023, FANR approved a site selection license for a low-level radioactive waste management facility.
Additionally, the UAE highlighted efforts to regulate radioactive materials from medical and industrial sectors, with over 4,000 licensees following FANR guidelines for storage and transport. The country also emphasized Emirati workforce development in the nuclear sector, with 76% of FANR’s workforce being Emiratis, 45% of whom are women, holding 58% of leadership roles.
The UAE acceded to the Joint Convention in 2009 and continues to uphold its commitment to nuclear safety, environmental protection, and global collaboration.
News Source: Emirates News Agency
