PERMANENT MISSION OF THE UNITED ARAB EMIRATES TO THE INTERNATIONAL ATOMIC ENERGY AGENCY VIENNA
Monthly Newsletter
Vol.4, Issue 1 January-February 2015
In this Issue In Focus UAE shares its
experience at the IAEA infrastructure meeting in Vienna – p.1
Other Stories UAE supports a consensus outcomes at the CNS Diplomatic Conference – p.3
Panel discussion during the IAEA annual forum on Nuclear Infrastructure Development, February 2015
UAE hosts meeting of NPDI Officials in Abu Dhabi – p.4
Nuclear Infrastructure Development
UAE hosts IAEA‟s IRRS follow-up mission to review the progress in implementing recommendations – p.5
UAE Shares its Experience at the IAEA Infrastructure Meeting in Vienna
UAE hosts nuclear energy briefings with the American Academy of Arts and Sciences – p. 6 Khalifa University launches GNEII Fundamentals Course – p.7 UAE Ambassador speaks on Global Nuclear Governance at the ISODARCO Winter School in Italy – p.8 What‟s new in Social Media? – p.9
Tel: +43 715 0028 Fax: +43 715 0028 - 5555 E-mail: general@uae-iaea.org Web: www.uae-iaea.org
On 3 February 2015, Ambassador Hamad Alkaabi, UAE Permanent Representative to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), briefed newcomer and expanding nuclear power States on progress made in the development of a nuclear energy programme in the UAE during the IAEA Infrastructure Meeting in Vienna, Austria. The 9th annual „Technical Meeting on Topical Issues in the Development of Nuclear Power Infrastructure‟ was held at the IAEA headquarters on 3-6 February 2015 to discuss challenges and common issues. The meeting brought together around 90 senior managers from national governments, future owner/operators, regulatory bodies and other institutions involved in national nuclear power programmes from 38 IAEA Member States.
www.uae-iaea.org
This year‟s forum focused on Member States‟ challenges in prioritizing and sequencing activities that must be addressed in the nuclear infrastructure implementation process. On the first day of the meeting, Ambassador Alkaabi joined a panel discussion on updates from newcomer countries along with Bangladesh, Belarus and Vietnam. The UAE‟s advance progress in the introduction of nuclear power has been recognized as a model for other countries considering the nuclear power option. The IAEA has been playing a crucial role in ensuring that the development of a nuclear power programme in the UAE is conducted in a safe, efficient, responsible and sustainable manner.
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Since the UAE embarked on its nuclear energy programme, relevant national stakeholders have been actively participating in IAEA activities and have benefited greatly from the Agency‟s services toward developing national infrastructures. The UAE is keen on not only benefiting from the Agency‟s services but is also devoted to sharing its best practices and lessons learned in the process with other Member States. “UAE experts support IAEA International Peer Review Services, both through sending local experts to review missions in other countries and receiving missions to assess the UAE programme,” Ambassador Alkaabi commented. The meeting also addressed suggestions and comments from Member States on revision of the IAEA publication “Milestones in the Development of a National Infrastructure for Nuclear Power,” one of the IAEA‟s key guidance documents for nuclear newcomers. Results from the twoyear process of updating the publication in accordance with feedback from Member States‟ lessons learned by newcomers were presented to the meeting participants.
The UAE‟s experience as the first 'newcomer' country in 27 years to start constructing its first reactor was emphasized, particularly to share the country‟s experience with other Member States. “Strong government commitment, establishing the legal framework and a competent nuclear regulator, as well as adopting an innovative procurement approach all allowed the UAE to advance quickly,” said Ambassador Hamad Alkaabi in an interview with the IAEA. IAEA interview with Ambassador Hamad Alkaabi on the nuclear infrastructure: https://www.iaea.org/newscenter/news/consideratio n-construction-united-arab-emirates-journey-nuclearpower Presentations made by the UAE delegation are available on the meeting webpage: http://www.iaea.org/NuclearPower/Meetings/2015/2 015-02-03-02-06-NIDS.html
Panel discussion during the IAEA annual forum on nuclear infrastructure development, February 2015
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Enhancing Global Nuclear Safety UAE supports consensus outcome at the CNS Diplomatic Conference A Diplomatic Conference to discuss Switzerland’s proposal on stricter nuclear safety provisions in the Convention on Nuclear Safety convened in Vienna. At the 6th CNS Review Meeting in which took place in April 2014, the majority of Contracting Parties supported a Diplomatic Conference to address a proposal by Switzerland to amend the CNS. From 9 to 13 February 2015, the Diplomatic Conference convened at the IAEA headquarters in Vienna to discuss the Swiss proposal to amend the CNS and enhance the safety of nuclear power plants throughout the world.
The Vienna Declaration on Nuclear Safety has been adopted by the Contracting Parties by consensus. The Declaration demonstrates an ongoing international effort to strengthen nuclear safety in the wake of the Fukushima-Daiichi accident in Japan. The Declaration contains a series of principles to guide countries in
the implementation of the objectives of the CNS. A summary report of the discussions was issued after the closing of the conference. Find the Vienna Declaration on Nuclear Safety here: https://www.iaea.org/sites/default/files /cns_viennadeclaration090215.pdf
The Vienna Declaration was put forth as an alternative consensus outcome when the Contracting Parties did not reach a consensus on the Swiss proposal. In preparation for the Diplomatic Conference, an Informal Working Group (IWG) convened multiple meetings in efforts to reach a consensus outcome.
Ambassador Hamad Alkaabi leads the UAE delegation at the Diplomatic Conference at IAEA headquarters in Vienna
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Joint Efforts to Promote Global Nuclear Non-Proliferation UAE hosts meeting of NPDI Officials in Abu Dhabi The NPDI is a cross-regional, ministerial-level group focused on developing practical steps that will take forward the consensus outcomes from the 2010 NPT Review Conference. The UAEâ€&#x;s Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) hosted a meeting of senior officials of the 12-member Non-Proliferation and Disarmament Initiative (NPDI) group on 22 January, in Abu Dhabi. The NPDI meeting was held to prepare for the 2015 Review Conference of the Parties to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT). During the meeting, the NPDI officials discussed the challenges facing the NPT review process, as well as the proposals of NPDI members for supporting the success of the upcoming review conference. The 2015 NPT Review Conference will be held in April and May at the United Nations headquarters in New York, USA. The ninth Review Conference since the first in 1975, the 2015 Review Conference will also mark the 20-year anniversary of the NPT's indefinite extension agreed to in 1995.
2012 NPT Review Conference The 2015 Review Conference of the Parties to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) will be held in 2015 at the United Nations Headquarters in New York, USA. The ninth Review Conference since the first in 1975, the 2015 Review Conference will also mark the 20-year anniversary of the NPT's indefinite extension agreed to in 1995. More information on 2015 NPT Review Conference is available >> here
About the NPDI
H.E. Ambassador Hamad Alkaabi meets with NPDI officials at MoFA in Abu Dhabi, 22 January (Photo: MoFA)
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The NPDI is a cross-regional, ministerial-level group focused on practical steps that will take forward the consensus outcomes from the 2010 NPT Review Conference. The members of the NPDI include Australia, Canada, Chile, Germany, Japan, Mexico, the Netherlands, Nigeria, the Philippines, Poland, Turkey and the UAE.
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IAEA Peer Reviews to the UAE UAE hosts IAEA’s IRRS follow-up mission to review the progress in implementing recommendations The UAE programme receives review missions from the IAEA in order to obtain valuable feedback based on its expertise. The International Regulatory Review Services (IRRS) mission plays an important role in assisting the UAE toward building an appropriate regulatory infrastructure. From 31 January to 8 February, the UAE nuclear regulatory authority hosted a follow-up mission from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to review the regulatory framework for nuclear safety and radiation protection in the country. An international team of eleven senior safety experts met with officials of the Federal Authority for Nuclear Regulation (FANR) and other involved organizations contributing to nuclear safety to review achievements since the first IRRS mission in 2011. The mission took place at the headquarters of FANR in Abu Dhabi. The ten-day follow-up IRRS mission reviewed the progress of the UAE‟s nuclear safety infrastructure in implementing the recommendations and suggestions proposed during the 2011 IRRS mission. The 2011 IRRS mission was conducted at the request of the UAE government from 5-14 December. Good practices in the UAE safety framework were highlighted and recommendations were made for the country‟s nuclear regulatory authority. The final report of the 2011 IRRS mission is available on the Permanent Mission‟s website here >>
Major IAEA Peer Review Missions in the UAE January 2011: Integrated Nuclear Infrastructure Review (INIR) mission; (The INIR report is available here >>) December 2011: International Regulatory Review Services (IRRS) mission; (The IRRS mission report is available here >>) May 2014: International ISSAC Advisory Service (ISSAS) mission; March 2015: Emergency Preparedness Review Mission (EPREV) October 2015: Occupational Radiation Protection Appraisal Service (ORPAS); 2016: International Physical Protection Advisory Service (IPPAS) 2016: Preparatory Operational Safety Review Team (Pre-OSART)
Group photo of international nuclear safety experts, IAEA officials and FANR specialists during the IRRS follow-up mission in Abu Dhabi, 8 February 2015 (photo: FANR)
IRRS mission team members ………………
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Nuclear Energy Briefings with the American Academy of Arts and Sciences The UAE hosted nuclear energy briefings with the American Academy of Arts and Sciences to exchange knowledge, experience and to learn from challenges facing the nuclear power industry throughout the world. From 20-22 January, the UAE hosted in Abu Dhabi a nuclear energy briefing meeting which focused on a series of presentations and discussions with experts from the American Academy of Arts and Science. The objective of this three-day event was to exchange knowledge, experience and challenges in the nuclear sector, specifically in the areas of nuclear safety, nuclear security, radioactive waste management, nuclear liability and legal framework, as well as human resource development and capacity building. Jointly organized by the faculty of the Global Security and Energy programme of the Academy and the Federal Authority for Nuclear Regulation, these briefings gathered experts and officials from the UAE nuclear energy programme. H.E. Ambassador Hamad Alkaabi, UAE Permanent Representative to the IAEA, spoke at the opening of the first briefing session, emphasizing the prospect for regional nuclear cooperation.
Discussions covered areas such as nuclear reactor technology, nuclear safety, nuclear liability, cyber security and nuclear security. Another briefing focused on capacity building and human resource development in the nuclear field. The Academy also co-hosted a workshop with the Association for Regional and International Underground Storage (ARIUS) on solutions for the back-end of the nuclear fuel cycle. The small-group format of these briefings allowed experts from the UAE and from the Academy to engage directly in productive, substantive discussions about lessons learned so far from the UAE experience and from other cases around the world. Prior to the meetings, the Academy‟s delegation visited the Barakah site, where the UAE has been working since 2010 on constructing its first nuclear power plant. As the first plant nears completion, the team was able to gain insight into the UAE‟s efforts to develop a culture of safety and security and to engage in public outreach.
The American Academy of Arts and Sciences The American Academy of Arts and Sciences is a champion of scholarships, civil dialogue, and useful knowledge. As one of the oldest independent policy research centers, the Academy brings together leaders from the academic,
––
business and government sectors to address critical challenges which the
UAE Ambassador Hamad Alkaabi speaks at the nuclear energy briefing in Abu Dhabi, 20 January 2015 (photo: FANR)
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global society actually faces.
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UAE Nuclear Energy Programme: Capacity Building Khalifa University launches GNEII Fundamentals Course In line with national capacity building for the sustainability of the UAE’s nuclear energy programme, Khalifa University operates the Gulf Nuclear Energy Infrastructure Institute (GNEII), a regional institute focusing on human resource development for the nuclear sector. Since its inception in 2011, GNEII offers a Fundamentals Course which provides instruction on fundamental aspects of a responsible nuclear energy programme, from critical thinking and basic physical principles, to social and technical aspects of nuclear safety, safeguards and security. It also includes historical developments and case studies. On 11 January, the Khalifa University launched the fifth round of the Gulf Nuclear Energy Infrastructure Institute (GNEII) Fundamentals Course at its Abu Dhabi campus in the UAE. The fourteen-week 2015 GNEII Fundamentals Course presented an integrated 3S methodology and a systems approach to nuclear energy, providing Fellows from the region with a comprehensive understanding of responsible nuclear energy programmes. In the framework of the UAE-IAEA 2013-2017 Integrated Work Plan, the IAEA provides support to GNEII, mainly in
the areas of safeguards and security, and the sustainability of the programme. The Khalifa University plays a vital role as an educational and training institution supporting the nuclear sector. With the support of the IAEA, Khalifa University launched a number of initiatives such as e-learning portals dedicated to nuclear science and technology, the Gulf Nuclear Energy Management School, and other ongoing peer-to-peer consultancies.
About GNEII The Gulf Nuclear Energy Infrastructure Institute (GNEII) was established in 2011 by the Khalifa University in partnership with Sandia National Laboratories (Sandia) and Texas A&M Universityâ€&#x;s Nuclear Security Science and Policy Institute (NSSPI). GNEII is an education and research-
based institution that expands nuclear energy infrastructure knowledge and expertise in the Middle East, particularly among professionals working in the region.
U.S. Assistant Secretary for International Security and Nonproliferation, Thomas Countryman, speaks to the 2015 GNEII Fundamentals Course class (Photo: KU)
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GNEII website: http://www.kustar.ac.ae/pages/gneii
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Promoting the Global Non-Proliferation Regime UAE Ambassador Speaks on Global Nuclear Governance at the ISODARCO Winter School in Italy On 9 January, H.E. Ambassador Hamad Alkaabi, UAE Permanent Representative to the IAEA, met with participants of the International School on Disarmament and Research on Conflicts (ISODARCO), an NGO that offers a unique international forum on global security challenges. The 28th ISODARCO Winter Course on “Global Nuclear Governance: Actors, Policies and Issues,” was held from 7-14 January in Andalo, Italy. As keynote speaker, UAE Ambassador Alkaabi addressed matters in relation to the establishment of an internationally recognized Nuclear-Weapon-Free Zone in the Middle East to enhance global and regional peace. He introduced participants to the process established to achieve this outcome through the implementation of the
Treaty on Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) Resolution on the Middle East, including the 1995 NPT Review and Extension Conference. Ambassador Alkaabi emphasized the role of regional and Issue-based Groupings, such as the NonProliferation and Disarmament Initiative (NPDI) and the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM), in global nonproliferation regime. Around 80 participants from 24 countries attended the 2015 ISODARCO Winter School. Lectures focused on the main elements of the nuclear governance system, strengths and limitations, and discussed possible remedies to enhance their effectiveness.
Group photo of the ISODARCO winter course participants in Andalo, Italy (Photo credit: ISODARCO)
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What’s New in Social Media? Permanent Mission is on Flickr The Permanent Mission employs a variety of social media communications including Twitter, YouTube, and Instagram. Recently, the Permanent Mission joined Flickr, an online photo management and sharing website to share its stories through images with its broad audience. To keep track of the latest activities and events of the Permanent Mission, we invite you to follow us on our new Flickr page.
2-6 March, Board of Governors (BoG), IAEA headquarters, Vienna, Austria 15-16 March, meeting of the International Advisory Board (IAB), Abu Dhabi, UAE 16-27 March, CTBTO Working Group B, 44th Session, Vienna, Austria
Permanent Mission‟s Flickr page: https://www.flickr.com/photos/uaemissionvienna
Permanent Mission of the United Arab Emirates to the International Atomic Energy Agency, Vienna Chimanistrasse 36, 1190 Vienna, Austria Tel: (+43 1) 715 00 28 Fax: (+43 1) 715 00 28 – 5555 E-mail: general@uae-iaea.org Website: www.uae-iaea.org Follow us:
@UAE_IAEA
@UAE_IAEA
About the Permanent Mission The UAE has been a member to the IAEA since 1976. The Permanent Mission of the United Arab Emirates to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) acts as the main liaison between the UAE government and the IAEA in Vienna, Austria. The UAE Permanent Mission was established in 2008. Its objective is to represent the interests of the UAE government at the IAEA and to facilitate the UAE‟s engagement and cooperation with the IAEA in the areas of nuclear safety, nuclear security, non-proliferation and safeguards, technical cooperation, and the implementation of relevant international obligations.
UAE Permanent Mission to IAEA
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