Monthly Newsletter of the UAE Permanent Mission to the IAEA_Volume 4_Issue 4_June/July 2015

www.uae-iaea.org Page 1

PERMANENT MISSION OF THE UNITED ARAB EMIRATES TO THE INTERNATIONAL ATOMIC ENERGY AGENCY VIENNA

In this issue:

In Focus

IAEA Chief Yukiya Amano visits UAE– pp. 1-2

Inside Stories

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Vol.4, Issue 4

June - July 2015

In this Issue

Expert Interview

Dr. Najat Mokhtar, IAEA Director

for Technical Cooperation for

Asia and the Pacific speaks

about Technical Cooperation

with UAE – p. 7-9

Content

Second UAE-IAEA Nuclear

Energy Management School in

Abu Dhabi– p.1

UAE Ambassador Gives a

Lecture at the National Defense

College in Abu Dhabi – p.2

International Conference on

Computer Security in a Nuclear

World – p. 2

Sherpas of the 2016 Nuclear

Security Summit Meet in

Lithuania – p.3

UAE Shares its Experience on

National Integrated Planning –

p.4

IAEA Director for TC for Asia and

the Pacific Region Pays Official

Visit to UAE – p. 5-6

44th Session of the CTBTO

Preparatory Commission – p.10

CTBTO Science and Technology

Conference in Vienna – p.10

Updated Status of the Barakah

Nuclear Power Plant – p.11

2nd UAE – IAEA Nuclear Energy Management

School in Abu Dhabi

From 17 to 28 May, the Khalifa

University of Science, Technology

and Research (KU) hosted the

second joint UAE-IAEA Nuclear

Energy Management (NEM) School

in Abu Dhabi, UAE.

The School was organized in

cooperation with the Federal

Authority for Nuclear Regulation

(FANR), the Emirates Nuclear Energy

Corporation (ENEC), and the Critical

Infrastructure and Coastal Protection

Authority (CICPA).

The two-week course for selected

participants provided a wide a

range of lectures, site visits,

discussions, group work and

presentations.

Eleven guests from the Gulf

Cooperation Council (GCC) and the

Asia-Pacific region joined the NEM

School.

Group photo of NEM School participants with IAEA TCAP Director and TC delegation, Khalifa

University campus in Abu Dhabi, UAE, May 2015

The School provides a unique

educational experience aimed at

building future leadership to

manage nuclear energy

programmes; to promote and foster

knowledge of a wide range of

issues related to the peaceful use of

nuclear technology; and to provide

a unique worldwide networking

opportunity for future managers in

the area of nuclear energy.

The NEM School, with its first course

held in 2012 in Abu Dhabi, is

envisioned to be an on-going

mechanism towards human

resource development and

capacity building in the UAE.

More information on IAEA Nuclear

Energy Management (NEM) School

is available on the IAEA website.

Nuclear Knowledge Management

Tel: +43 715 0028

Fax: +43 715 0028 - 5555

E-mail: [email protected]

Web: www.uae-iaea.org

https://www.iaea.org/nuclearenergy/nuclearknowledge/schools/NEM-school/

mailto:[email protected]

http://www.uae-iaea.org/



Nuclear Policy

UAE Ambassador Gives a Lecture at the National Defense

College in Abu Dhabi

UAE Ambassador Hamad

Alkaabi, Permanent

Representative to the IAEA,

delivered a lecture on the

UAE’s Nuclear Policy at the

National Defense College

(NDC) in Abu Dhabi, on 1st of

June.

He met with this year’s class of

36 students from the NDC to

discuss issues related to

nuclear policy, nuclear

energy, and nonproliferation.

The lecture has also

addressed the UAE

Government’s nuclear policy

approach and progress in the

development of the nuclear

energy programme.

Students comprise brigadiers and

colonels in the armed forces and in

the Interior Ministry, as well as high

position officials from ministries,

government institutions, and the

private sector.

UAE Ambassador Hamad Alkaabi delivers a lecture at the National Defense College in

Abu Dhabi, June 2015 (Photo: NDC)

International Conference on Computer Security in a Nuclear

World

From 1 to 5 June, officials from UAE’s Federal

Authority for Nuclear Regulator (FANR)

participated in the International Conference on

Computer Security in a Nuclear World: Expert

Discussion and Exchange, held at the IAEA

headquarters in Vienna.

The Conference focused on the computer systems

and networks that support nuclear facility

operations, which include several non-standard

information technology systems in regards to

architecture, configuration, or performance

requirements.

The experience of the international community

and its achievements to date in strengthening

computer security in the framework of nuclear

security were highlighted.

New approaches and trends were also

identified for the benefit of participating

Member States.

The NDC aims at preparing

military and civilian leaders for

their role in assessing challenges

to national, regional and

international security.



Global Fight against Nuclear Terrorism

Sherpas of the 2016 Nuclear Security Summit Meet in Lithuania

The first Sherpa Meeting in the run-up to the 2016

Nuclear Security Summit was held in Vilnius, Lithuania,

from June 29 to July 2, 2015.

The UAE’s Sherpa, H.E. Ambassador Hamad Alkaabi,

Permanent Representative to the IAEA, joined 130

high-level officials from participating countries, along

with representatives from international organizations

such as the United Nations (UN), the International

Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), the European Union

(EU) and Interpol.

The objective of the meeting was to carry out

preparatory work for the fourth Nuclear Security

Summit in 2016 (NSS 2016), which will take place

from 31 March to 1 April 2016 in Washington,

D.C., USA.

In Vilnius, the Sherpas discussed key issues

regarding progress made in implementing

relevant work plans from the last summit in The

Hague. They engaged in scenario-based

simulations on smuggling nuclear material across

borders to facilitate discussions on evidence-

based policies.

Sherpas of the 2016 Nuclear Security Summit in Vilnius, Lithuania, June 2015



From 1 to 5 June, the UAE Permanent Mission joined

the IAEA Induction Workshop for new National Liaison

Officers (NLOs) and National Liaison Assistants (NLAs)

for technical cooperation operating in the region of

Asia and the Pacific.

Through his role as National Liaison Officer for the UAE,

H.E. Ambassador Hamad Alkaabi, Permanent

Representative to the International Atomic Energy

Agency (IAEA), shared the country’s experience and

welcomed 32 new NLOs and NLAs.

Technical Cooperation with the IAEA

UAE Shares its Experience on National Integrated Planning

As the designated National Liaison Office, the UAE Permanent Mission plays a leading

role in formulating, coordinating and facilitating the implementation - with IAEA

assistance - of the UAE’s national technical cooperation programme.

Group photo of NLOs and NLAs for TC operating in the Asia and the Pacific region, June 2015 (Photo: IAEA)

Ambassador Alkaabi introduced the

workshop participants to the UAE’s

partnership with the IAEA in regards to the

process of formulating the TC national

programme, cooperation framework,

implementation and evaluation, challenges

and best practices, and the success stories

of UAE-IAEA TC projects.



IAEA Director for Technical Cooperation for Asia and the Pacific

Region Pays Official Visit to UAE

The UAE is currently implementing 7

national Technical Cooperation

(TC) projects designed to address

important development

challenges in the areas of human

health, environmental protection

and water monitoring, radiation

technology, as well as nuclear

energy.

TCAP Director Najat Mokhtar receives an honoring award from Dubai Health Authority in

appreciation for the support of Technical Cooperation programme to the UAE, 27 May

Dr. Mokhtar began her series of visits at

the International Center for Biosaline

Agriculture (ICBA), where discussions led

to determining a set of activities to be

implemented in the context of the

practical arrangement signed between

the IAEA and the ICBA in support of their

soil, water, crop and nutrition activities.

From 26 to 28 May, the IAEA’s Director

for Technical Cooperation for Asia and

the Pacific (TCAP) Dr. Najat Mokhtar,

along with Section Head Ms. Jane

Gerardo-Abaya, made an official visit to

the UAE. During their two-day visit, the

IAEA delegation met with UAE

counterparts engaged in the IAEA’s

Technical Cooperation activities and

projects to discuss the implementation

of national projects and ongoing

cooperation.

During her visit to the National

Emergency Crisis and Disaster

Management Authority

(NCEMA) and its National

Operation Center, Dr.

Mokhtar was briefed by the

NCEMA Deputy Director

General on the UAE’s strategy

for emergency response.

During the meeting, the future

prospects on the

implementation of a new

project in 2016 aimed at

supporting the UAE’s planning

and response to radiological

and nuclear emergencies

were discussed.

The TCAP Director also visited

Abu Dhabi Polytechnic

Institute, which is piloting a

new IAEA compendium for

introducing nuclear science

and technology to secondary

schools in the Emirates. The

UAE is one of 4 countries

embarking on this joint

initiative between the IAEA

Departments of TC, Nuclear

Energy and Nuclear Sciences

and Applications.



National and regional collaboration in the area of human

health was highlighted in meetings with Health Authorities

of the UAE. Officials from the Health Authority- Abu Dhabi,

Dubai Health Authority, Ministry of Health, and military

hospitals discussed upcoming TC projects that support

patient radiation protection, and cancer management

and control in the UAE.

Further meetings with counterparts at the Federal

Authority for Nuclear Regulation (FANR) addressed TC

projects that support the UAE nuclear power programme,

environmental protection, and the establishment of a

Secondary Standards Dosimetry Laboratory (SSDL) in the

UAE.

The TCAP Director also visited the SSDL construction site at

the Khalifa University of Science, Technology and

Research (KU) to review the tremendous progress in

construction and plans to commence commissioning by

the end of 2015.

At the Khalifa Univerity, the Director attended the closing

ceremony of the Nuclear Energy Management (NEM)

School, which was held in collaboration with the IAEA. Dr.

Mokhtar awarded 35 Emirati and 11 international

participants with IAEA certificates.

Active UAE – IAEA National TC Projects

for 2014-2016 Cycle

Enhancing Analytical Capabilities for

Environmental and Archaeological

Applications – Phase II (UAE/1/001);

Supporting the Development of

National

Nuclear Power Infrastructure for

Electricity Generation - Phase II

(UAE/2/003);

Establishment of Secondary Standards

Dosimetry Laboratory (SSDL) – Phase II

(UAE/6/005);

Enhancing Environmental Monitoring

Capabilities (UAE/7/004);

Enhancing the Environmental

Monitoring (UAE/7/003);

Establishing the National Radioactive

Waste Management Infrastructure

(UAE/9/010);

Strengthening the National Programme

on Patient Radiation Safety and

Dosimetry (UAE/9/011).

Photo: IAEA Nuclear Energy Management School participants and IAEA

TC delegation after the receipt of graduation certificates, Khalifa

University campus in Abu Dhabi, UAE



Expert Interview

UAE-IAEA Technical Cooperation: Strengthening Nuclear Technology

Transfer

In an interview with the UAE Permanent Mission, IAEA's Najat Mokhtar,

Director for Technical Cooperation for Asia and the Pacific (TCAP),

talks about the cooperation between the Agency and the UAE as the

country develops its nuclear energy programme and expands

adoption of nuclear applications in various sectors to meet its national

development needs. Dr. Najat Mokhtar is from Morocco. She has a

Doctorate Degree in Diet and Nutrition from the University of Dijon,

France, and a PhD Degree in Physiology and Nutrition from Laval

University, Canada. Dr. Mokhtar completed her post-doctoral training

at the Johns Hopkins University, USA, as a Fulbright Fellow. Before joining

the Agency, Dr. Mokhtar was the Director of Sciences at the Hassan II

Academy of Science & Technology in Morocco. She led the Nutrition

Section at the IAEA from August 2012 to October 2014 and served as

Technical Officer from 2001-2007.

1. Cooperation between the UAE and the IAEA’s

Technical Cooperation Department has greatly

expanded since 2008, when the country embarked

on a nuclear energy programme. The Agency made

available, through its Technical Cooperation

Programme, the transfer of technology and expertise

supporting the development of national infrastructure

for the nuclear power project. From the IAEA's

perspective, which outcomes have demonstrated the

UAE’s successful cooperation with TC in this area?

In 2011, the UAE signed its first Country Programme

Framework, which outlined the UAE national

development needs that could be addressed using

the Agency support in nuclear science and

technology. It was clear that the introduction of

nuclear power for electricity generation is the priority,

and the successful and safe implementation of the

nuclear energy programme is the main outline of

technical cooperation between UAE and IAEA.

From then on, the UAE has remained focused on this

priority, making maximum use of the opportunities

offered under the Agency’s Technical Cooperation

programme to address its national needs and

priorities. Since 2008, around 260 international experts

have been dispatched to the UAE to share their

expertise. From this number, 70% were experts in the

field of activities of Nuclear and Radiation Safety,

Nuclear Security and General Atomic Energy

Development. From these earlier years, the UAE

remains a recipient of expertise.

However, in recent years, we are happy to note that

experts from UAE are beginning to engage in

missions to other countries within the region. We are

also happy to note that in recent years, UAE has

started to receive fellows and scientific visitors for

Nuclear and Radiation Safety and Nuclear Security.

This, to us, is one of the major outcomes of our

cooperation, where the recipient is now in the

position to be the contributor of knowledge and

expertise.

We would like to encourage UAE to continue sharing

its expertise and experience, especially in this region,

either through TC programmes, regionally or

bilaterally. (Continued on page 7)

Photo: IAEA



2. In 2013, the UAE signed an Integrated Work Plan

with the IAEA’s TC Department, covering different

areas of cooperation up to the operation of the

country’s first nuclear power plant in 2017. How do

you see the implementation of UAE’s IWP today?

The Integrated Work Plan (IWP) is meant to

support the implementation of the national

nuclear power programme. It consolidates all

technical assistance by the IAEA to the UAE’s

nuclear power programme and the IAEA, through

its Technical Cooperation (TC) programme and

other mechanisms, is assisting the UAE in ensuring

safe and secure infrastructure development.

The IWP has proven to be of special importance

as a key project management modality to

facilitate an enhanced working relationship

between the IAEA and the national organizations

involved in the UAE’s nuclear power programme.

2014 showed an effective implementation of

planned activities that are being supported by the

IAEA with the delivered assistance increase at

three-fold compared to the previous year.

We also see that UAE has transformed the IWP for

Nuclear Power Programme into an operational

framework for delivery of IAEA assistance, which

includes almost all of UAE national programmes

which had resulted in an efficient tool, to ensure

the smooth delivery of technical cooperation

activities. As of the end of June 2015, the

implementation of the UAE national programme is

on track at almost 60% (57.25%) and we expect

that by the end of 2015, all the planned activities

will be delivered to various stakeholders in the

UAE.

3. Last month you visited the United Arab Emirates for

the first time, to review the implementation of the

TC programme in both the nuclear power and

non-power sectors. What were your impressions

from this visit? Were you able to note the impact of

these projects?

Yes, definitely. I am happy to see many bright and

young Emiratis whom had benefited from the

capacity building activities delivered through the

TC Programme who are engaged, focused and

utilizing the gained knowledge to contribute to the

UAE programme, both in the nuclear power and the

non-power sectors.

I also had the opportunity to close the Nuclear Energy

Management School, organized by Khalifa University

in cooperation with IAEA under TC regional project

RAS/2/015 “Supporting the Introduction of Nuclear

Power for Electricity Generation and Seawater

Desalination”. This event was also supported by

various other agencies in the United Arab Emirates;:

the Federal Authority for Nuclear Regulation (FANR),

Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation (ENEC) and the

Critical Infrastructure and Coastal Protection Authority

(CICPA), showing the importance placed by the UAE

on Nuclear Knowledge Management. I was

impressed to see many Emirati trainers in the school,

which is the indicator of the sustainability of the UAE

nuclear programme.

We visited the first national measurement centre for

secondary standards for industrial and medical uses,

supported by TC national project UAE/6/005

“Establishment of Secondary Standards Dosimetry

Laboratory (SSDL) - Phase II”. This is a major

achievement for UAE, as UAE will have the capability

to carry out the calibration of radiation measuring

instruments, personal and area dosimetry, and high

dose dosimetry for industrial and medical applications

in the country.

During our visit at the Dubai Hospital, which is one of

the major hospitals involved in the TC Project

UAE/9/011 “Strengthening the National Programme

on Patient Radiation Safety and Dosimetry”, we saw

engaged health communities who are committed to

improve radiation protection of patients in

conformance with IAEA Safety Standards. I am happy

to share that a recent expert mission had concluded

that the diagnostic imaging medical physics in UAE is

well developed, competent and robust. We are

happy to note that UAE had also taken the important

next undertaking – the development of Diagnostic

Reference Levels at a national level for optimizing the

radiation dose delivered to patients in the course of

diagnostic and/or therapeutic procedures as one of

UAE national TC projects in TC Cycle 2016/2017.



4. You oversee the Agency’s Technical Cooperation

programme for the Asia and the Pacific region,

helping its Member States address their specific

needs. What has the main focus of the TC programme

been in recent years for this region? How do you view

the UAE’s engagement in this regional cooperation

framework, especially within ARASIA and the GCC

groups?

In recent years, the main focus of the TC

programme in the region has been in the areas of

Health and Nutrition and Safety and Security, with

climate change becoming an emerging issue.

Through the Practical Arrangement in support of the

soil, water, crop and nutrition activities meeting

between the IAEA and the International Center for

Biosaline Agriculture (ICBA) in the UAE, we look

towards the UAE to lead in the discussions for

possible areas of collaboration with the IAEA on a

multidisciplinary integrated approach to tackle

impacts of climate change and adaptation

approaches.

The UAE has been providing significant support to

the region, especially within ARASIA and GCC, in

organizing and hosting numerous capacity building

activities in various scientific and technical areas,

and we look forward for this engagement to be

enhanced in the future. We also look forward to UAE

engagement beyond GCC and ARASIA, to our new

Member States and the Least Developed Countries

in the region by mobilizing its experts to provide

guidance and support.

5. The UAE is eager to share its model and best practices

in the use of nuclear applications and technology with

other Member States. From your perspective, do you

suggest new areas of work within the Agency’s TC

programme where the UAE can provide support or

share its experience?

In my opinion, the UAE’s strength lays in its focus to

achieve its identified priorities, in its communication of

these priorities to all the relevant stakeholders in the

country, and in maximizing available resources which

we know is always limited to ensure the target is

achieved on time.

We hope that in addition to sharing its technical

expertise in utilizing nuclear applications and

technologies with other Member States, the

UAE can consider sharing its strong

management and innovative approach with

other new MSs in the region.

We are looking to the UAE to provide

leadership in the region – in identifying regional

developmental needs and with an agreed

strategic plan to address those needs. We

hope the UAE’s proven strategy and approach

can be shared and replicated to benefit the

region.

6. Overall, how would you describe the

UAE’s engagement in the IAEA’s Technical

Cooperation Programme?

I would describe it as: focused on its

development needs and clear in its

management of resources. The Agency

offers assistance in various areas and one

may get side-tracked and would like to be

involved in what the Agency had to offer.

However, this may spread the available

resources too thin. The UAE has always been

focused and managed its resources based

on its needs and participated in activities of

relevance to its objectives, which resulted in

the desired outcome within the targeted

timeline.



The UAE participated in the 44th Session of the

Preparatory Commission of the Comprehensive

Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organization (CTBTO),

which took place on 18 June 2015, in Vienna.

The Preparatory Commission concluded important

decisions based on the consideration of States

Signatories on budgetary, technical and

organizational matters.

It adopted reports from Working Groups on

financial matters and technical matters, along with

recommendations outlined in each.

The meeting also highlighted the planned steps

and activities for continued support in light of

facilitating the entry into force of the Treaty.

44th Session of the CTBTO Preparatory Commission

Policy Making

CTBTO Science and Technology Conference in Vienna

UAE Ambassador Hamad Alkaabi attended the CTBTO Science and Technology Conference,

held from 22 to 26 June, in Vienna.

Gathering over 100 participants, including scientists from over 70 countries, the Conference

provided a vast platform for the exchange of knowledge and the sharing of advances in

monitoring and verification technologies of relevance to the CTBT.

The CTBTO believes that close engagement with scientists will help ensure that the Treaty’s global

verification regime remains at the forefront of scientific and technical innovation.

The UAE signed the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT) in 1996 and ratified

the Treaty in 2000. As a Sate Signatory, the UAE contributes to the annual budget in

order for the organization to successfully build up the Treaty’s verification regime.

Plenary of the CTBTO 44th Session of the Preparatory

Commission, Vienna

https://www.ctbto.org/press-centre/highlights/2015/snt2015-kicks-off/



14-18 September, IAEA 59th

General Conference, Vienna,

Austria

7-11 September, IAEA Board of

Governors, Vienna, Austria

24 August – 4 September, CTBTO

44th Session of Working Group B,

Vienna, Austria

Updated Status of the Barakah Nuclear

Power Plant

About the Permanent Mission

Established in 2008, the Permanent Mission of the United Arab Emirates

(UAE) acts as the main liaison between the UAE Government and the

International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), as well as the Preparatory

Commission for the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organization

(CTBTO) in Vienna, Austria. The UAE has been a member of the IAEA since

1976. The Government signed the CTBT in 1996 and ratified the Treaty in

2000. Through its daily engagement with these international organizations

and its effective diplomacy, the Permanent Mission works to advance the

interests of the UAE Government in the area of peaceful uses of nuclear

energy. It facilitates close cooperation on nuclear safety, nuclear security,

non-proliferation, safeguards, technical cooperation, and the

implementation of relevant international instruments.

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: [email protected]

Website: www.uae-iaea.org

Follow us: @UAE_IAEA @UAE_IAEA

UAE Permanent Mission to IAEA

Second Reactor Vessel is installed at Barakah

Upcoming Events

Photo: ENEC Photo: ENEC

On 17 June, the UAE marked the installation of a reactor vessel for the second

unit of its Nuclear Power Plant under construction at Barakah. The first unit was

installed in May 2014.

Currently, Unit 1 is more than 73% complete and expected to enter commercial

operations in 2017. Unit 2 is currently more than 50% complete.

All four nuclear reactors are projected to be operational by 2020.

For more information, visit the Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation website:

http://enec.gov.ae/

mailto:[email protected]

http://www.uae-iaea.org/

https://twitter.com/UAE_IAEA

https://twitter.com/UAE_IAEA

http://www.youtube.com/user/UAEMissionVienna?feature=watch

http://enec.gov.ae/

Documents

Monthly Newsletter of the UAE Permanent Mission to the IAEA_Volume 4_Issue 4_June/July 2015