UAE Presents Comprehensive National Report On Spent Nuclear Fuel And Radioactive Waste Management At IAEA Meeting

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has submitted its Fifth National Report on compliance with the Joint Convention on the Safety of Spent Fuel Management and Radioactive Waste Management. This report was presented at the 8th review meeting held at the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) headquarters in Vienna, Austria. The UAE is participating as a Contracting Party to this convention.

Ambassador Hamad Al Kaabi, the UAE’s Permanent Representative to the IAEA, leads the UAE delegation. It includes representatives from national nuclear stakeholders like the Federal Authority for Nuclear Regulation (FANR) and the Emirates Nuclear Energy Company (ENEC). Ambassador Al Kaabi stated, "The UAE remains committed to upholding the highest standards of nuclear safety and security, in line with our international obligations and best practices."

The UAE's participation in this meeting underscores its dedication to transparency and collaboration in managing radioactive waste. The country ensures safe management through robust infrastructure, advanced technologies, and long-term strategies. These efforts aim to protect both the community and the environment effectively.

The National Report outlines legislative and regulatory measures adopted by the UAE to meet its Joint Convention obligations. FANR has issued regulations such as "Radiation Protection and Predisposal Radioactive Waste Management in Nuclear Facilities" and "Decommissioning of Facilities." These reflect the UAE’s commitment to developing an integrated waste management system aligned with international standards.

The report also highlights current processes regarding spent fuel management. ENEC has designed Barakah Nuclear Power Plant with sufficient capacity to store spent fuel for 20 years before moving it to dry storage. In 2023, FANR licensed a site for constructing a low-level radioactive waste management facility proposed by ENEC.

The status of radioactive waste from medical and industrial facilities was also discussed. These facilities comply with FANR’s regulations for temporary and permanent storage, ensuring community safety. Over 4,000 licensees use regulated materials across various sectors including medical, industrial, government, and education.

Building Emirati Capabilities

The UAE delegation highlighted efforts to build Emirati capabilities in the nuclear sector through collaborations with educational institutions. Extensive training programmes have been established over recent years to develop expertise in this knowledge-intensive field. Currently, Emiratis make up over 76% of FANR’s workforce, with women holding 45% of positions.

The Joint Convention came into effect in 2001, requiring Contracting Parties to protect people and the environment from hazards posed by spent nuclear fuel and radioactive waste. Every three years, parties submit a national report detailing measures taken under this convention. The UAE became a party in 2009.

With inputs from WAM