monthly newsletter of the uae permanent mission to the iaea_volume 4_issue 5_september/october 2015

www.uae-iaea.org

PERMANENT MISSION OF THE UNITED ARAB EMIRATES TO THE INTERNATIONAL ATOMIC ENERGY AGENCY VIENNA

Monthly Newsletter

In this issue:

In Focus

IAEA Chief Yukiya Amano visits UAE– pp. 1-2

Inside Stories

------------------

IFNEC Convenes its Executive

Committee and Steering Group

Meetings in Romania – p.2

UAE Hosts Regional Training Course

on Nuclear Forensics – p.3

UAE Healthcare Official shares

Knowledge on Cancer

Management at International

Conference in Vienna – p.4

IAEA Expert Mission Reviews the

UAE‟s Regulation and Guide on Pre-

Disposal Management of

Radioactive Waste – p.5

Highlights from the IAEA 59th

General Conference

UAE Highlights Progress of its

Peaceful Nuclear Energy

Programme at the IAEA General

Conference – p.6

UAE Ambassador Speaks at a Side

Event on the Role of Women in the

Nuclear Field – p. 7

International Nuclear Experts Discuss

the Establishment of the IAEA

Nuclear Fuel Bank – p.8

Permanent Mission Hosts an

Exhibition on the UAE Nuclear

Energy Programme – p. 9

UAE Ambassador Hosts a Reception

for IAEA Delegates – p.10

Strengthening Bilateral Cooperation

with the IAEA – p.11

Expanding Cooperation

Agreements with Partner Countries

– p.12

Ambassador Alkaabi Briefs U.S.

Industry Delegation on UAE‟s

Nuclear Power Project – p.13

Senior Regulators‟ Forum – p.15

UAE Commenced Construction of

its Fourth Nuclear Reactor - p.16

About the Permanent Mission - p.17

Vol.4, Issue 5

September-October 2015

In this Issue

Tel: +43 715 0028

Fax: +43 715 0028 - 5555

E-mail: [email protected]

Web: www.uae-iaea.org

Highlights from the IAEA

59th General Conference

The 59th session of the International

Atomic Energy Agency‟s annual

General Conference took place from

14-18 September, at the IAEA

headquarters in Vienna, gathering

more than 3,000 delegates from its

165 Member States.

The UAE delegation, headed by H.E.

Ambassador Hamad Alkaabi,

Permanent Representative to the

IAEA, participated in the work of the

Conference throughout the week.

The delegation comprised senior

officials from the Federal Authority for

Nuclear Regulation (FANR) and of the

Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation

(ENEC).

In the course of the Conference,

Ambassador Alkaabi delivered a

national statement highlighting the

importance of the role of the IAEA in

the peaceful use of nuclear energy

worldwide and particularly

commending the fruitful cooperation

between UAE Government and the

Agency.

The UAE delegation held a series of

meetings with other delegations to

strengthen bilateral cooperation,

and joined side events to share the

country‟s experience and

participate in knowledge exchange.

The UAE also featured an exhibition

displaying all aspects of its nuclear

power programme and the progress

made to date.

Senior officials of the UAE‟s Nuclear

Regulatory body also joined the

Senior Regulators‟ Forum to

exchange information on current

regulatory issues and trends.

(Continued on page 6)

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IFNEC Convenes its Executive Committee and Steering Group

Meetings in Romania

From 22-23 October, the International Framework for

Nuclear Energy Cooperation (IFNEC) held its 2015

Executive Committee and Steering Group Meeting in

Sinaia, Romania, hosted by the Nuclear Agency and

for Radioactive Waste, the national authority for

peaceful nuclear activities.

During the meeting, the Executive Committee

addressed progress made over the past year, and

provided guidance on future activities and priorities.

The Committee also discussed the outcomes and

recommended actions from the 3rd Africa Nuclear

Power and Energy Conference, which was jointly

organized by IFNEC and the International Atomic

Energy Agency in Kenya. Also highlighted were the

activities of the Steering Group and IFNEC Working

Groups.

The International Framework for Nuclear Energy

Cooperation

Among these were the working groups on the back end

of the fuel cycle work, and the nuclear infrastructure

working group. The meeting has also discussed and

agreed on the future direction in the area of financing

for nuclear new build.

The outcome of these discussions were reviewed by the

participating countries at the Executive Committee

meeting, which further gave directions to the IFNEC

Working Groups to guide its future work.

The United Arab Emirates joined IFNEC in 2011, which

currently comprises 33 participant countries, 31 observer

countries and 4 international organizations.

For more details, visit IFNEC website on

http://www.ifnec.org/

http://www.ifnec.org/

www.uae-iaea.org


UAE Hosts Regional Training Course on Nuclear Forensics

Nuclear Forensics to Prevent Illicit Trafficking of

Nuclear and Radioactive Material

From 5-8 October, the UAE hosted a Regional Training

Course on „Introduction to Nuclear Forensics‟ in Dubai,

UAE.

The training course was organized by the International

Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in collaboration with the

Government of the United Arab Emirates. It brought

together more than 30 participants from 20 IAEA

Member States, mainly form Arab countries and the

North African region.

Eighteen Police Officers from Police Departments also

joined the training to enhance their awareness and

understanding of the scope and applications of nuclear

forensics.

The training course provided an excellent platform for

the exchange of information among participants

involved in the development or implementation of their

respective countries‟ national response plans for nuclear

security events, and how to optimize the role of nuclear

forensics in addressing such incidents.

Nuclear forensics make up an essential component of a national nuclear security

infrastructure, as it can help address the threat of nuclear and other radioactive

material which fall out of regulatory control, and can as well assess nuclear

security vulnerabilities.

Participants of the Nuclear Forensics training course in Abu Dhabi, UAE

Participants of the nuclear forensics training course in

Dubai, UAE

www.uae-iaea.org


UAE Healthcare Official Shares Knowledge on Cancer Management at

International Conference in Vienna

Dr.Batool Al Balooshi, Acting Head of Nuclear Medicine at Dubai Health Authority, chairs sessions at the

International Conference on PET-CT and Molecular Imaging at IAEA headquarters in Vienna

Dubai Health Authority shared its knowledge and

practices on cancer management during the

International Conference on Clinical Positron Emission

Tomography (PET) – Computed Tomography (CT) and

Molecular Imaging, held from 5 to 6 October in

Vienna, Austria.

The International Conference on Clinical PET–CT and

Molecular Imaging: PET–CT in the Era of Multimodality

Imaging and Image Guided Therapy (IPET-2015)

addressed the health challenges common to many

IAEA Member States.

More than 500 participants from IAEA Member States,

mainly clinicians, imaging specialists and scientists,

reviewed the important clinical aspects of cancer

management and assessment of the disease.

Three UAE participants from the Dubai Health

Authority, Gulf International Cancer Center in Abu

Dhabi and the Cleveland Clinic took active part in the

Conference in reviewing important clinical aspects

and the appropriate use of medical imaging for

the entire spectrum of cancer management and

other diseases.

Dr. Batool Al-Balooshi of Dubai Health Authority

chaired a number of sessions on nuclear medicine

during the Conference and provided assistance to

the Conference in reviewing scientific posters on

cancer management.

The UAE‟s healthcare sector closely cooperates

with the IAEA through several national Technical

Cooperation projects, aimed at enhancing quality

control in diagnostic nuclear medicine and

improving radiological protection of patients.

Dr. Al-Balooshi emphasized that UAE stakeholders

greatly benefit from IAEA technical expertise

through up-to-date multimodality imaging

techniques that the UAE participants apply in their

work.

www.uae-iaea.org


IAEA Expert Mission Reviews the UAE’s Regulation on Pre-disposal

Management of Radioactive Waste

From 11 to 13 October, the Federal Authority for

Nuclear Regulation (FANR) received a team of experts

from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to

review the national regulation and guide on pre-

disposal management of radioactive waste.

The Expert Mission was carried out in the framework of

the national Technical Cooperation project on

„Establishing the National Radioactive Waste

Management Infrastructure,‟ between the UAE and

Agency.

The four-day mission reviewed the UAE regulatory

body‟s regulations to protect residents and the

environment from radiological effects and hazards

potentially posed by spent nuclear power plant fuel

and radioactive waste. It included the incorporation

of Natural Occurring Radioactive Material (NORM)

management aspects into the regulatory documents.

The team of experts also made recommendations and

advice aimed at aligning the UAE‟s regulatory

framework for radioactive waste management with

the IAEA Safety Standards.

In accordance with the UAE Nuclear Law, FANR has

developed a number of regulations, including in this

area:

Regulation number 11 for Radiation Protection and

Pre-disposal Radioactive Waste Management in

Nuclear Facilities;

Regulation number 24 on Basic Safety Standards for

Facilities and Activities involving Ionizing Radiation

other than in Nuclear Facilities;

Regulation number 26 for Pre-disposal Management

of Radioactive Waste.

www.uae-iaea.org


UAE Highlights Progress of its Peaceful Nuclear Energy Programme at

the IAEA General Conference

UAE Ambassador Hamad Alkaabi delivers a national statement

during the IAEA 59th General Conference, 16 September

The national statement delivered by Ambassador

Hamad Alkaabi at the plenary of the General

Conference highlighted the progress made on the

nation‟s peaceful nuclear energy programme, which

began in 2008.

“There are currently four nuclear power reactor units

under construction at Barakah nuclear power plant,

with more than 75% of the first unit complete. In

making such progress, the UAE views the Agency as

a valuable partner, following its guidance, receiving

required support and contributing back to the

Agency‟s work,” said Ambassador Alkaabi in his

speech.

The Ambassador reiterated his country‟s commitment

to working closely with the IAEA and conforming to its

standards, as outlined in the UAE Nuclear Policy.

Particular attention was paid to the importance of

the establishment of the International Low Enriched

Uranium (LEU) fuel bank. The UAE supported the

Agency‟s initiative from the outset and commended

the signing of the Host State Agreement between

Kazakhstan and the IAEA in August 2015.

The national statement also underlined the

importance of the Agency‟s efforts in producing the

Fukushima Daiichi Accident Report.

“My country has had the opportunity to observe and learn

from the response to the accident, and has taken significant

steps to implement the lessons learned,” stated Ambassador

Alkaabi. Finally, the Ambassador reiterated UAE support for

the work of the IAEA, stating that the “UAE looks forward to

hosting the next international conference on nuclear power

in 2017 in Abu Dhabi,”. (Read full text of UAE statement here)

UAE delegation at the IAEA 59th General Conference in Vienna, Austria

http://uae-mission.ae/mission/iaea/Content/1493

www.uae-iaea.org


UAE Ambassador Speaks at a Side Event on the Role of Women in the

Nuclear Field

On 16 September, UAE Ambassador Hamad Alkaabi,

Permanent Representative to the IAEA, spoke at the

side event “Women in All Things Nuclear”, a forum co-

sponsored by the Vienna Center for Disarmament

and Non-Proliferation (VCDNP).

After being held three years in a row, the event‟s

focus this year was on the future workforce in the

nuclear field.

Ambassador Alkaabi was a keynote speaker at the

event,. He emphasized the important role that

women play in building-up the highly skilled nuclear

workforce in the UAE.

Talented females make up a significant part of the

UAE‟s growing workforce, and national entities

involved in the UAE nuclear power programme are

taking steps to encourage even more women to join

the country‟s bourgeoning nuclear industry.

UAE Ambassador Hamad Alkaabi speaks at side event on the

role of women in the nuclear field

In his speech, Ambassador Alkaabi introduced

participants to the current trend of female professionals

joining the nuclear industry in the UAE. Twenty-one

percent of the UAE nuclear operator‟s skilled professional

staff comprises women; and high percentages of women

are joining nuclear training programs in the UAE.

Side event “Women in All Things Nuclear,” 16 September

www.uae-iaea.org


International Nuclear Experts Discuss the Establishment of

the IAEA Nuclear Fuel Bank

On 15 September, a side event “Multilateral Approaches to the

Nuclear Fuels Cycle: The IAEA Fuel Bank – progress to Date and

Looking Ahead” took place on the margins of the IAEA‟s 59th

General Conference.

H.E. Ambassador Hamad Alkaabi joined the panel of five speakers

from the IAEA and other organizations involved in the

development of the nuclear fuel bank. Ambassador Alkaabi

complimented the Agency on an important milestone achieved

with the inauguration of the IAEA low-enriched uranium (LEU) fuel

bank in August 2015, which will be hosted by Kazakhstan. He

emphasized that the UAE supported this initiative from its outset,

both politically and financially. Ambassador Alkaabi expressed his

Government‟s belief that the fuel bank will contribute to a network

of reliable multilateral fuel services, promoting the expansion of

nuclear energy in a safe and responsible manner. The event

provided panelists and participants with an opportunity to engage

in a substantive policy discussion on the progress made so far, and

implementation of the agreement on the IAEA LEU fuel bank.

The event was aimed at raising awareness and building

knowledge of the issue.

In 2008, the UAE offered its

support for the

establishment of the IAEA

low-enriched uranium fuel

bank. The UAE contributed

US $10 million toward the

creation of the fuel bank.

On 27 August 2015, the

IAEA and the Government

of Kazakhstan signed a Host

State Agreement to ensure

fuel supplies for nuclear

power stations and

contribute to nuclear non-

proliferation.

Side event “Multilateral Approaches to the Nuclear Fuel

Cycle: The IAEA Fuel Bank,” 15 September

www.uae-iaea.org


Permanent Mission Hosts an

Exhibition on the UAE Nuclear Energy

Programme

UAE Exhibition on the sidelines of the IAEA 59th General Conference

The UAE Permanent Mission to the IAEA launched an

exhibition entitled “UAE Nuclear Power Programme: A

Model for Peaceful Nuclear Energy” at the Vienna

International Centre (VIC) on the margins of the IAEA

General Conference.

Featuring an insightful overview of the progress made on

the UAE nuclear energy programme, the exhibition

highlighted the major millstones achieved in the

development of the country‟s peaceful nuclear

programme, which began in 2008.

The exhibition also displayed the path by which the UAE

decided to embark on a nuclear power programme

and its strategy for developing this programme based

on the best international standards.

The UAE‟s exhibit, among other exhibitions by the

nuclear industry and Governments of twenty countries,

was open to over 3,000 delegates that were

participating in the General Conference, NGOs, media

representatives, and daily visitors of the VIC.

www.uae-iaea.org


UAE Ambassador Hosts a Reception

for IAEA Delegates

UAE Ambassador Hamad Alkaabi hosted a reception on

16 September for the Conference delegations and IAEA

staff.

Participating delegates to the IAEA 59th General

Conference, IAEA staff, and other guests congratulated

the UAE for the major accomplishments the country has

achieved with its nuclear energy programme. They also

noted the success of the Permanent Mission‟s second

exhibition and its effective presentation of the country‟s

efforts in the area of nuclear energy.

Guests at the event received information publications on

latest progress in the development of UAE nuclear energy

programme.

Group photo: UAE delegation to the IAEA 59th General Conference at

the country exhibition booth, Vienna International Centre

www.uae-iaea.org


Strengthening Bilateral Cooperation with the IAEA

Bilateral meeting between the UAE delegation headed by H.E. Ambassador Hamad Alkaabi, Permanent

Representative to the IAEA (right, center), and IAEA Director General Mr. Yukiya Amano (left, center)

On the sidelines of the General

Conference, the UAE delegation

held in bilateral meetings with IAEA

senior officials.

The meeting with IAEA Director

General Mr. Yukiya Amano

addressed the strong on-going

cooperation between the Agency

and the UAE on the country‟s

peaceful nuclear energy

programme.

Mr. Amano congratulated the UAE

for the commencement of the

safety-related construction for its

Barakah Unit 4. He also underlined

that the IAEA will continue to

provide its expertise and technical

advice for the successful

implementation of the UAE‟s

programme.

Bilateral meeting with the IAEA Deputy Director General for Nuclear Energy

Mr.Mikhail Chudakov, 17 September

A series of bilateral meetings were

also held with Directors of the IAEA's

Departments of Nuclear Safety and

Security, Nuclear Energy, Safeguards,

and Technical Cooperation,

providing an update of the

country's progress and the scope

of future collaboration.

www.uae-iaea.org


The UAE's nuclear regulator, the Federal Authority for

Nuclear Regulation (FANR), signed a Memorandum of

Understanding (MoU) with the Korea Atomic Energy

Research Institute (KAERI). This MoU will allow for joint

projects to advance the agendas of both countries.

The agreement was signed by H.E. Ambassador

Hamad Alkaabi in his capacity as Deputy Chairman of

FANR‟s Board of Management, and Dr. Jong Kyung,

KAERI President, on 15 September.

The UAE‟s Federal Authority for Nuclear Regulation

(FANR) and the United States‟ Nuclear Regulatory

Commission (NRC) renewed on arrangement to

cooperate on nuclear safety matters on 15

September.

Expanding Cooperation with Partner Countries

Signing of bilateral agreement, 16 September

Signing of bilateral agreement, 16 September

The UAE delegation met with a number of other country

delegations in light of strengthening bilateral

cooperation in the nuclear field.

Having bilateral agreements already in place with a

number of these countries, discussions were focused on

future areas of cooperation, as well as recent progress,

developments and challenges in respective nuclear

power programmes.

Bilateral meeting with Korean delegation

Bilateral meeting with Swiss delegation

Bilateral meeting with French IRSN delegation

www.uae-iaea.org


Ambassador Alkaabi Briefs U.S. Industry Delegation on UAE’s

Nuclear Power Project

On 15 September, the UAE delegation met with the

U.S. Industry Delegation to the IAEA‟s 59th General

Conference to discuss the country‟s Barakah

Nuclear Power Plant project progress and

exchange ideas on current trends and cooperation

areas.

The U.S. Industry delegation gathered a wide

number of U.S. companies, providing a platform for

the UAE delegation to discuss and share ideas with

industry leaders, scientists, and technology

innovators who aspire to entering into new

partnerships for the country‟s peaceful nuclear

energy programme.

As a guest speaker at the Forum, H.E. Ambassador

Hamad Alkaabi briefed the U.S. industry

delegation on current developments in the UAE

nuclear energy programme in terms of nuclear

power plant progress progress regulatory aspects,

technology, policy standards, and also on the

already established U.S.-UAE partnership in the

framework of the country‟s programme.

Ambassador Alkaabi also briefed participants on the

current status on the construction of all four units of

the Barakah Nuclear Power Plant and highlighted

recent milestones accomplished on-site. Followed by

a Q&A session, the interactive discussion emphasized

the strong interest under the existing partnership

between the two countries.

UAE delegation during the U.S. Industry Forum on the margins of the 59th

General Conference, 15 September

www.uae-iaea.org


“The UAE has concluded nine bilateral

nuclear cooperation agreements with

responsible and experienced nuclear

countries, mainly suppliers, and those

with good track records in nuclear

power development and

management. Both government-to-

government agreements and industry-

to-industry arrangements early on in

the programme, have proven to be

essential to the UAE’s programme

success in several areas, such as

safety and security, transfer of

technology and human resource

development.“

~ Ambassador Hamad Alkaabi, UAE

Permanent Representative to the IAEA

Bilateral Agreements concluded by the

UAE for peaceful nuclear cooperation

2008: UAE - France Civil Nuclear

Cooperation

2009: UAE – U.S. Bilateral Nuclear

Cooperation (Section 123) Agreement

2009: UAE - Republic of Korea Bilateral

Nuclear Cooperation Agreement

2010: UAE - UK Civil Nuclear Cooperation

Agreement

2012: UAE - Australia Civil Nuclear

Cooperation Agreement

2012: UAE - Canada Civil Nuclear


2012: UAE - Russian Federation Civil

Nuclear Cooperation Agreement

2013: UAE - Argentina Civil Nuclear


2013: UAE - Japan Civil Nuclear


www.uae-iaea.org


Senior Regulators’ Forum

Members of the UAE delegation from

the Federal Authority for Nuclear

Regulation (FANR) joined the annual

Senior Regulator‟s Meeting, organized

by the Agency during the General

Conference, to share country

experiences on current regulatory

issues.

The meeting also hosted

Government officials involved in

regulatory matters in the fields of

nuclear, radiation, transport and

radioactive waste safety and

nuclear security.

Since its establishment in 2009,

FANR officials have actively

engaged in the Senior

Regulators‟ Forum. Through this

Forum, they contribute toward

the goal of achieving and

sustaining a high level of

nuclear safety, as well as

learning from the experiences

of other Members States and

sharing practices in the

development of national

regulatory infrastructures.

Christer Viktorsson (left), FANR Director

General, and Dr John Loy (right), FANR

Deputy Director General of Operations

Division, attend the Senior Regulators’

Forum during the 59th

General

Conference

www.uae-iaea.org


Barakah Nuclear Power Plant Status

UAE Commenced Construction of its

Fourth Nuclear Reactor

On 2 September, the Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation (ENEC)

commenced the pouring of the first safety-related concrete for Unit 4

of the Barakah Nuclear Power Plant.

The celebration of this key milestone for the UAE nuclear energy

programme was marked with the attendance of the UAE Energy

Minister, H.E. Suhail Mohamed Faraj Al Mazrouei.

Today, the Barakah Nuclear Power Plant has become the world‟s

leading nuclear energy construction site, with four reactors being

constructed simultaneously at one site.

Currently, Barakah Unit 1 is more than 75% complete and is expected

to enter operation in 2017.

1-5 November, IAEA‟s

Occupational Radiation

Protection Appraisal Service

(ORPAS) mission, Abu Dhabi, UAE

Upcoming Events

www.uae-iaea.org


––––

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has been a Member

State of the IAEA since 1976. Established in 2008, the

Permanent Mission of the UAE to the International

Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) acts as the main

liaison between the UAE Government and the IAEA

in Vienna, Austria. In line with the UAE‟s

development of a nuclear power programme, the

Permanent Mission‟s main objective is to represent the

interests of the UAE Government at the IAEA, and to

facilitate the UAE‟s engagement and cooperation with

the IAEA in the areas of nuclear safety, nuclear security,

non-proliferation and safeguards, technical

cooperation, and the implementation of relevant

international obligations.

About the Permanent Mission

Permanent Mission of the United

Arab Emirates to the International

Atomic Energy Agency, Vienna

Chimanistrasse 36,

1190 Vienna, Austria

Tel: (+43 1) 715 00 28

Fax: (+43 1) 715 00 28 – 5555

E-mail: [email protected]

Website: www.uae-iaea.org

Follow us:

@UAE_IAEA

@UAE_IAEA

UAE Permanent Mission to IAEA

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monthly newsletter of the uae permanent mission to the iaea_volume 4_issue 5_september/october 2015

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