United Arab Emirates Participation in the 67th General Conference of the International Atomic Energy Agency
Vienna, The United Arab Emirates is actively engaged in the annual General Conference of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), taking place until September 29 at the organization's headquarters in Vienna, under the theme "Global Cooperation in the Nuclear Field."
The UAE delegation to the conference is led by His Excellency Ambassador Hamad Al Kaabi, the Permanent Representative of the UAE to the International Atomic Energy Agency. It also includes representatives from several national authorities concerned with the nuclear sector, such as the Federal Authority for Nuclear Regulation and the Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation.
The General Conference, which serves as the supreme decision-making body of the IAEA, convenes each year. Its agenda encompasses discussions on the agency's program, budget, and other matters related to nuclear energy.
His Excellency Al Kaabi will deliver an opening speech during the plenary session of the General Conference, highlighting the strong relationship between the United Arab Emirates and the IAEA. This partnership has played a pivotal role in bolstering the nation's efforts to develop a peaceful nuclear program that adheres to the highest standards of safety, security, and non-proliferation.
The UAE delegation is conducting several bilateral meetings with international partners and other member states to explore cooperation opportunities and exchange viewpoints on various nuclear policies and monitoring.
In collaboration with the Republic of Korea, the United Arab Emirates is organizing an event titled "Successful Cooperation between UAE and South Korea's Nuclear Regulatory Authorities in Building a Safe Nuclear Program in the UAE." This event underscores the collaboration of the UAE authority with its regulatory counterparts in licensing the Barakah nuclear power plant and their contributions to reducing carbon emissions while supporting global efforts to combat climate change.
The Authority will co-chair a meeting of senior officials in nuclear safety and security, taking place on the sidelines of the General Conference. During this meeting, the Authority will emphasize the recommendations and outcomes of the international conference on effective regulation of nuclear and radiological sectors held in Abu Dhabi in February last year, which saw the participation of 95 countries and four international organizations. The discussions focused on the role of the global regulatory community in ensuring the effectiveness of regulatory systems in an evolving environment.
The United Arab Emirates will showcase its preparedness and response system for nuclear and radiological emergencies during an event titled "How Does the International Atomic Energy Agency Support Member States in Cases of Nuclear and Radiological Accidents and Emergencies." They will discuss lessons learned from organizing the IAEA's "CONFEX-3" exercise. In 2021, the UAE fully activated emergency response centers to test their readiness and response capabilities by simulating a nuclear incident at the Barakah nuclear power plant, involving over 76 countries, 12 international organizations, and 111 laboratories.
The UAE delegation is also participating in the Regulatory Cooperation Forum, where the Federal Authority for Nuclear Regulation is reviewing its collaboration with international regulatory authorities. The UAE has entered into more than 22 cooperation agreements with international regulatory authorities, including the United States, Canada, France, South Korea, and others. These agreements cover regulatory aspects of nuclear safety and security, non-proliferation, and radiological protection, with the aim of exchanging regulatory knowledge and experiences, thereby strengthening international cooperation.