UAE’s nuclear scheme ‘a model for the world’

‘Educate public on benefits of using atomic power’

ABU DHABI // The UAE’s nuclear programme is a model for other states to follow, a foreign official says.

With less than a year until the nuclear power plant at Barakah begins operation, the UAE has been strengthening its ties to international nuclear organisations in Vienna this week. The UAE was among 160 member states to attend a conference of the International Atomic Energy Agency on its 60th anniversary.

The annual meeting makes decisions on programmes, budget and policies.

This year also marks the 40th anniversary of the UAE’s membership.

The IAEA plans to visit the UAE in November to review its nuclear security framework, and to assess safety practices at the Barakah power plant next year.

The United Nations nuclear watchdog is also planning a further three visits to the country in the next couple of years.

“The UAE gives a standard of excellence that is aspirational for many new countries interested in building nuclear power plants,” said Lady Judge, former chairwoman of the UK atomic energy authority.

She is also on the international advisory board for the development of nuclear energy in the UAE.

“It can give an authoritative opinion about the standards that are existing in countries with nuclear. It gives advice, education and aspiration.”

Lady Judge said it was necessary for the UAE’s nuclear indus- try to educate the public about the benefits of atomic energy.

“It needs to talk to parents, children and teachers about how nuclear energy can enhance their lives and counteract the bad publicity the industry gets when there is an accident,” she said.

“Part of the problem for nuclear is that the benefits are not obvious for people who don’t understand it.”

The UAE’s four nuclear reactors in Barakah in the Western Region are more than 70 per cent completed.