UN body holds review of UAE nuclear reactor
NATION’S NUCLEAR INFRASTRUCTURE MATCHES IAEA MILESTONE 3 BENCHMARKS
Experts from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) have carried out a comprehensive review of the UAE’s nuclear infrastructure, with their report highlighting the country’s continued progress in its commitment to providing a safe and reliable nuclear energy programme.
The review mission by the IAEA took place from June 24 to July 1 at the behest of the UAE as part of its Integrated Nuclear Infrastructure Review (INIR), with its official report handed over to the Federal Authority for Nuclear Regulation (FANR) yesterday.
The INIR missions are separated into three milestone benchmarks, with each milestone reviewing various aspects of a country’s nuclear infrastructure such as its readiness to launch a nuclear programme and its readiness to start constructing its nuclear power plant.
With both milestones completed by the UAE, the third milestone reviews the readiness of operating the nuclear energy plant.
As part of its review for milestone three, the IAEA team examined 19 infrastructurerelated requirements including emergency planning and preparedness, human resource development, nuclear safety and radiation protection, physical and cyber security, and environmental protection. The UAE was found to have achieved milestone three after the completion of the IAEA’s thorough review.
Good practices
Milko Kovachev, the head of the IAEA’s Nuclear Infrastructure Development Section, said their report had provided a list of seven good practices they found while carrying out their review as well as 10 recommendations to follow up on.
“The UAE has made steady progress since the mission in 2011, which has been emphasised by the fact that the IAEA team has identified seven high quality practices in relation to the 19 elements analysed.
“The review team has developed some recommendations which, if implemented, could further enhance the nuclear infrastructure in the country and support the development of a safe, transparent, reliable and peaceful nuclear energy programme,” he added.