UAE and IAEA review and update an Integrated Work Plan (IWP) for the development of the country’s nuclear power infrastructure for 2013-2017


The annual meeting to review the status of implementation of the Integrated Work Plan (IWP) for developing nuclear power infrastructure in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) took place at the IAEA’s headquarters in Vienna, from 16 to 17 March 2016.
The meeting brought together representatives from key UAE stakeholder institutions and IAEA officials to review the progress of the implementation of the IWP for the period 2013-2017.


The UAE delegation, headed by H.E. Ambassador Hamad Alkaabi, UAE Permanent Representative to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), included representatives of the Federal Authority for Nuclear Regulation (FANR), the Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation (ENEC), the National Emergency Crisis and Disaster Management Authority (NCEMA), and the Khalifa University of Science, Technology and Research (KU). On the side of the IAEA, representatives joined from the Agency’s Departments of Technical Cooperation and Nuclear Energy.

Developed in line with the IAEA’s Milestones Approach to nuclear power, the IWP document sets out a comprehensive framework that ensures the Agency’s continued support for the development of a national infrastructure for nuclear power in the UAE.
Since its adoption in 2013, the IWP has provided technical assistance to the UAE through more than 60 activities, including training courses and workshops, fellowships and scientific visits, as well as peer review missions.
To date, the IAEA’s technical cooperation to UAE is implemented through seven national technical cooperation projects, and has significantly contributed to the human capacity-building and the deployment of qualified staff to support the regulatory and operational aspects of the programme. In addition to nuclear power, the IAEA provides technical assistance to address national needs in health care, water management, environmental protection, industrial applications, as well as radiation technology. 
















Strengthening Human Capacity

Since the adoption of the IWP, the Agency has supported UAE stakeholders with 59 activities including expert missions and peer reviews, workshops and training courses, expert meetings, review guidance, and staff training through participation in peer reviews to other Member States as observers, among others. IAEA support has in large part focused on human capacity-building and the deployment of qualified staff with regard to both the regulatory and operational aspects of the UAE’s nuclear power programme.

“IWP provides a broad spectrum of knowledge and expertise in support of operational readiness activities,” said Hanane Zejly, ENEC’s Deputy Director for Capacity Building and Training.

“It also provides a consolidated benchmarking platform for ENEC in all selected areas and ensures that our programmes and plans are on par with industry standards.”

Zejly emphasized that, in particular, the knowledge transfer in the area of safety has been crucial, as the first Barakah nuclear reactor is getting ready for commissioning next year.

The Agency’s support helps to ensure the facility operator staff are being trained and appropriately equipped, which is key for effectively maintaining the facility, prior to the receipt of the initial fuel for the first nuclear power plant.

The IAEA Nuclear Energy Management (NEM) School, hosted twice by UAE, was also successful in training national nuclear professionals in leadership building in nuclear energy programme management.