The UAE hosted nuclear energy briefings with the American Academy of Arts and Sciences to exchange knowledge, experience and to learn from challenges facing the nuclear power industry throughout the world.
From 20-22 January, the UAE hosted in Abu Dhabi a nuclear energy briefing meeting which focused on a series of presentations and discussions with experts from the American Academy of Arts and Science.
The objective of this three-day event was to exchange knowledge, experience and challenges in the nuclear sector, specifically in the areas of nuclear safety, nuclear security, radioactive waste management, nuclear liability and legal framework, as well as human resource development and capacity building.
Jointly organized by the faculty of the Global Security and Energy programme of the Academy and the Federal Authority for Nuclear Regulation, these briefings gathered experts and officials from the UAE nuclear energy programme.
H.E. Ambassador Hamad Alkaabi, UAE Permanent Representative to the IAEA, spoke at the opening of the first briefing session, emphasizing the prospect for regional nuclear cooperation.
Discussions covered areas such as nuclear reactor technology, nuclear safety, nuclear liability, cyber security and nuclear security.
Another briefing focused on capacity building and human resource development in the nuclear field. The Academy also co-hosted a workshop with the Association for Regional and International Underground Storage (ARIUS) on solutions for the back-end of the nuclear fuel cycle. The small-group format of these briefings allowed experts from the UAE and from the Academy to engage directly in productive, substantive discussions about lessons learned so far from the UAE experience and from other cases around the world.
Prior to the meetings, the Academy’s delegation visited the Barakah site, where the UAE has been working since 2010 on constructing its first nuclear power plant. As the first plant nears completion, the team was able to gain insight into the UAE’s efforts to develop a culture of safety and security and to engage in public outreach.
