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Abu Dhabi / WAM
The Board of Management of the UAE’s Federal Authority for Nuclear Regulation (FANR) convened its fifth meeting at the site of the Barakah Nuclear Power Plant, where it reviewed progress of its operational activities and discussed a number of initiatives planned during this year.
During the meeting, the Board learned about latest updates of the FANR ongoing review of the Operating License Application for Units 1 and 2 at the Barakah Nuclear Power Plant in Al Dhafra as well as all relevant inspection activities to ensure implementation of FANR’s safety, security and safeguards requirements. Reviewing the Operating Licence Application of Barakah Nuclear Power Plant is a key priority for FANR’s Board of Management to ensure that it meets all regulatory requirements.
The Board of Management reviewed the mission outcome of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Phase 3 Integrated Nuclear Infrastructure Review (INIR), where they visited the UAE between June and July 2018. The aim of the mission was to assist the UAE by providing a review of the nation’s overall nuclear energy infrastructure. The team focused on the conditions required to achieve Milestone 3, through assessing 19 infrastructure issues as outlined in the IAEA’s ‘Milestones’ approach, a comprehensive methodology that guides countries and organisations to work in a systematic way towards the introduction of peaceful nuclear energy.
Specific aspects of the UAE’s nuclear energy infrastructure evaluated by IAEA mission included: emergency planning and preparedness; human resource development; regulatory and legal frameworks; nuclear safety and radiation protection; physical and cyber security; nuclear fuel cycle and waste management; environmental protection; funding and procurement practices; and safeguards implemented as part of the UAE nuclear programme. The UAE is the first country to implement and achieve Milestone 3 of the IAEA’s ‘Milestones’ approach to nuclear energy
infrastructure development.
In addition, the Board discussed FANR’s Innovation Strategy, where the authority aims to develop and discover innovative solutions to contribute to its vision to be globally recognised a leading nuclear regulator. FANR’s strategy is aligned with the UAE Government Vision 2021 on Innovation, where it focuses on innovative Emiratis building a competitive economy. The strategy consists of three strategic focus areas: safety, security and safeguards.