On 6 December 2011, the United Arab Emirates completed another important step in the framework of its cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency by signing its Country Profile Framework ,(CPF), in Abu Dhabi, at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the United Arab Emirates.
The Coutry Profile Framework was signed by the Deputy Director General of the Technical Cooperation Department at the International Atomic Energy Agency, Mr. Kwaku Aning, and H. E. Ambassador Hamad Al Kaabi, Permanent Representative of the United Arab Emirates to the International Atomic Energy Agency.
The Country Programme Framework (CPF) constitutes the frame of reference for the short and medium-term planning of technical cooperation between the Government of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) for the period 2012–2016. It provides a concise frame of national development needs that can be addressed using the Agency support in nuclear science and technology. The document is of strategic value which results from an extensive dialogue that engenders common commitment to improving the quality and effectiveness of technical cooperation between the UAE and the IAEA as a result of the clearly established focus of the country programme.
The formulation of the CPF was based on the UAE's Government near term Strategy 2011-2013, the IAEA's Medium-Term Strategy and the UAE’s long-term Vision 2021. Consistent with the economic diversification goal of the development strategy that UAE seek to achieve, the aim of the technical cooperation programme pursued under the signed CPF is to contribute - through an integrated planning process - to the sustainable, rationalised and efficient social and economic development of the country.
The CPF was developed following long, broad and in-depth consultation between the IAEA and the competent authorities of the UAE on the basis of a comprehensive study of what nuclear science and technology in general and nuclear energy in particular can contribute to the achievement of the national development objectives, as outlined in the UAE's Government near Term Strategy and the UAE’s long term Vision. These consultations, conducted at both the political and operational level, helped define a common approach to the effective integration of relevant nuclear techniques into high-priority national programmes for sustainable development in the country.
The document includes sections which develop in-depth information related to the UAE National vision and development plan, national development priorities and activities relevant to the Agency’s Technical Cooperation Programme, related International assistance and cooperation between the UAE and other relevant parties, and eventually the envisioned country programme outline which is not only limited to support from the Technical Cooperation Department of the Agency but also Nuclear Safety and Security, Nuclear Energy which is of particular priority to the UAE as well as Nuclear Safeguards and other applications.
H.E. Ambassador Al Kaabi highlighted the importance of this step "Signing of the UAE’s Country Profile Framework with the IAEA today, is consistent with the UAE approach on working directly with the IAEA in developing its nuclear energy programme, and another important step to strengthen planning, implementation and effectiveness of technical cooperation with the IAEA in support of UAE plans in the long term."
Deputy Director General, Head of the Technical Cooperation Department at the IAEA, Mr. Kwaku Aning also underlined that “UAE is at the forefront of countries developing new nuclear energy programmes, the IAEA supports the UAE efforts through multiple on-going technical cooperation projects” – adding – “UAE experience is important for the Agency and can be considered as a model for other countries interested in developing new nuclear energy programmes.”
