IAEA’s ConvEx-3 ‘Barakah UAE’ exercise successfully concludes

Abu Dhabi / WAM

The UAE on Monday concluded the exercises of the International Atomic Energy Agency’s (IAEA’s) ConvEx-3 ‘Barakah UAE’, amid great success, highlighting the country’s national readiness and full ability to deal with unusual conditions
in nuclear and radiological emergencies.
The UAE’s hosting of the exercise also cemented the international community’s confidence in the nuclear energy infrastructure, and its commitment to the highest safety, security and transparency standards in the nuclear and radiological sector.
The two-days exercise was held under the supervision of the IAEA, featuring the participation of more than 75
countries and 12 international organisations.
The national teams responsible for overseeing the exercise had completed their preparations to begin this major international event, which is being implemented under the supervision of the National Emergency Crisis and Disasters Management Authority (NCEMA), and in accordance with the regulatory framework of the Federal Authority for Nuclear Regulation (Fanr), and with the participation of Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation, Nawah Energy Company, Ministry of Interior, Abu Dhabi Police, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation and a number of other concerned authorities.
The national competencies working in the Barakah Nuclear Power Plant demonstrated their high ability to deal with exceptional circumstances, which is the result of the high and specialised qualification they obtained during their work on the project along with international expertise.
The teams – led by Emirati competencies – work around the clock as part of the emergency response system, in addition to their commitment to carry out regular training and exercises to ensure that they maintain a permanent readiness to face any situation.
The Barakah UAE exercise demonstrated the high-level and intensive national coordination between all participating bodies.
Major General Staff Pilot Faris Khalaf Al Mazrouei, Commander-in-Chief of the Abu Dhabi Police and Director of the exercise, affirmed that the ‘Barakah UAE’ exercise revealed outstanding results of the Emirati competencies who have proven their high ability to achieve the leadership.
He also praised the coordination among all the teams participating in the exercise, pointing to the Abu Dhabi Police’s keenness in supporting the system to improve, develop and anticipate the future.
Obaid Rashid Al Hassan Al Shamsi, Director-General of the National Emergency and Crisis and Disasters Management Authority (NCEMA), highlighted the importance of reviewing all the plans as proactive measures, which are among the priorities of the national system of NCEMA to ensure the readiness of all institutions in terms of human capabilities and available national resources.
For his part, Ambassador Hamad Alkaabi, UAE Permanent Representative to the IAEA, said, “I am pleased to see today the fruitful efforts that culminated in the success of the international exercise, which lasted for 36 continuous hours, with the participation of more than 75 countries, 12 international organisations and 111 international laboratories.”
The UAE’s hosting of the ConvEx-3 exercise reflects the country’s commitment to transparency with the international community and its keenness to strengthen international nuclear emergency systems.