Apr 18, 2025
The Board of Management of the Federal Authority for Nuclear Regulation (FANR) convened recently to receive and update on the authority's regulatory activities and research and development projects, among other aspects.
FANR's Director-General, Christer Viktorsson, briefed the Board members on the regulator's recent international cooperation activities, such as FANR's participation in the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission's Regulatory Information Conference, and the regulator's hosting of the International Atomic Energy Agency's (IAEA) Multi-Unit Probabilistic Safety Assessment Workshop, among other activities.
The Board received an update on FANR's contributions to the Eighth Review Meeting of the Contracting Parties of the Joint Convention on the Safety of Spent Fuel Management and on the Safety of Radioactive Waste Management, where the other Contracting Parties recognized the UAE for its white paper on 'Auditing Inspection Process—Nuclear Regulator' and its efforts in capacity building. The white paper was developed by FANR in collaboration with the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission and issued in 2024.
Furthermore, the Board members were updated on FANR's regulatory oversight of operations and maintenance activities at the Barakah Nuclear Power Plant, as well as the regulator's participation in the World Government Summit 2025, where FANR and the Nuclear Energy Agency (NEA) co-organized a high-level roundtable on the role of AI in advancing nuclear technology.
The Board was also updated on research and development activities at the Emirates Nuclear Technology Centre (ENTC), and embarked on a tour of the 'ENTC Insight' exhibition where a number of the ENTC's key projects were showcased. The ENTC's activities span four areas: Nuclear Safety & System; Materials & Chemistry; Radiation Safety & Environment; and Advanced Nuclear Technology. The Centre currently is currently undertaking 17 projects as of 2025.
Additionally, the Board of Management approved the establishment of the Development and Improvement Committee, which will work directly under the Board to review FANR's strategic and operational plans and reports, as well as supporting coordination with other UAE Federal Government entities, among other activities.