UAE reappointed to the board of governors at the IAEA

The country has been a member of the organisation, which promotes the peaceful use of nuclear energy, since 1976

Some of the Emirati staff behind the nuclear project, which has been more than a decade in the making. All photos courtesy Fanr

The UAE's nuclear regulator issued an operating licence for the first reactor at Barakah in February 2020

Delivering the project has been a feat of engineering. As many as 18,000 people worked on the project at the height of construction.

Fifty-three Emiratis have recently been certified as senior reactor operators and many more will be needed in coming years

There is growing interest among new Emirati graduates to enter the nuclear training programmes

Nuclear plays a significant part in targets to reduce gas-fired power generation to 38 per cent by 2050, along with renewable energy from solar and some clean coal.

“The nuclear programme has huge upfront costs to provide a certain level of security," Hamad Al Kaabi said. "But once you make that investment in the construction of the plant, the operation and fuel cost is very minimal compared to the overall cost.

Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed previously said Barakah is a "new chapter in our journey for the development of peaceful nuclear energy"

"As we prepare for the next 50 years to safeguard our needs, our biggest strength is national talent," Sheikh Mohamed said.

The four huge reactors at Barakah

Hamad Al Kaabi, the UAE's permanent representative to the International Atomic Energy Agency, and Christer Viktorsson, director general of the Federal Authority for Nuclear Regulation, speak about the first reactor to be licensed in February. Khushnum Bhandari for The National

The UAE has been reappointed a seat on the board of governors at the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).

The board is one of the main policy making authorities at the international organisation, which promotes the peaceful use of nuclear energy.

The UAE’s appointment comes a month after it became the first country in the Arab region to produce nuclear energy.

In August, it powered up Unit 1 of the Abu Dhabi-based Barakah nuclear power plant, ahead of the start of commercial operations later this year. This week, Unit 1 began operating at 50 per cent capacity.

"The election of the UAE on IAEA's Board of Governors underscores the confidence of the international community in the active role of the UAE in the international nuclear policy-making process," said Hamad Al Kaabi, permanent representative of the UAE to the IAEA.

''The move also underlines the global appreciation for the UAE's successful efforts and its responsible approach towards the development of a peaceful nuclear energy programme,'' he added.

The 35-member board carries out a number of tasks, such as making recommendations to the general conference on IAEA’s financial statements, programme and budget.

It also considers applications for membership, approves safeguarding agreements and the publication of the agency's safety standards.

And it studies ongoing verification reports such as those of Iran’s and North Korea‘s compliance.

The board typically meets five times per year.

The Emirates, which has been a member of the IAEA since 1976, will retain the seat until 2022.

It is the fourth time it has held the position, having previously sat on the board from 2016 to 2018, from 2013 to 2015 and from 2010 to 2012.