The UAE’s nuclear regulator took part in a discussion on developments in international emergency preparedness and response, with a special focus on the nuclear accident at the Fukushima Daiichi power plants.
Organized by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), the ‘Sixth Meeting of Representatives of Competent Authorities identified under the Convention on Early Notification of a Nuclear Accident and the Convention on Assistance in the Case of a Nuclear Accident or Radiological Emergency’ took place in Vienna, from 16 to 20 April 20l2.
The Competent Authorities meeting reviewed and evaluated the response to the accident at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plants, particularly the response at the national and international levels, as well as in the IAEA’s capacity. It also assessed the progress in the implementation of the Action Plan on Nuclear Safety, which was approved by the Board of Governors last year, after the accident.
Ahead with Member States, the Federal Authority for Nuclear Regulations (FANR) were familiarized with forthcoming IAEA publications and tools relevant to emergency preparedness and response to address communications under the Conventions and publications on operational intervention levels for a severe nuclear accident.
“We did share lessons identified in the response. We did review the progress since our previous meeting in 2009. We did discuss all the main issues how to improve for the way forward the emergency preparedness and response arrangements”, commented Rafael Martincic, IAEA Scientific Secretary for Incident Emergency Centre.
He emphasized that conclusions and recommendation of this meeting are mostly based on the lessons identified in response to the Fukushima accident.
"I hope Lessons will be learned and implemented. And if they will be implemented, then that will contribute to improve and enhance emergency preparedness and response at the national, international and also IAEA level” he added.
Both the “Early Notification Convention” and the “Assistance Convention” were adopted right after the Chernobyl accident in 1986. Competent Authorities meet every three years to discuss how they implementing those two conventions and share experiences and challenges in emergency preparedness and response to radiation emergencies.
Competent Authorities, including representatives from international organizations, from 58 States are party to at least one of the Early Notification and Assistance Conventions.
The UAE is a party to both Conventions since 1987.
