Nov 16, 2020Under the bilateral agreement on the Peaceful Use of Nuclear Energy between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates that was signed in 2019, the Federal Authority for Nuclear Regulation (FANR) of the United Arab Emirates and the Nuclear and Radiological Regulatory Commission (NRRC) of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia convened to explore and strengthen collaboration in regulatory aspects related to nuclear safety, nuclear security, non-proliferation, legal and regulatory framework, emergency preparedness and response.
The meeting was presided over by FANR’s Director-General HE Christer Viktorsson and NRRC’s Chief Executive Officer HE. Dr. Khalid A. Al Eissa, attended by the senior leadership team of both sides.
The Saudi Nuclear and Radiological Regulatory Commission has presented the status of its nuclear programme and regulatory framework. Meanwhile, FANR showcased latest updates with the UAE Peaceful Nuclear Energy Programme and following the operation of Unit 1 of Barakah Nuclear Power Plant. FANR also briefed about its regulatory framework in terms of nuclear and radiological sectors in the UAE and efforts to protect the public, workers, and the environment from radiation risks.
“We are delighted to meet with our partner the Nuclear and Radiological Regulatory Commission (NRRC) of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. We stand ready to provide necessary support to the NRRC and share with them UAE’s journey into building the peaceful nuclear programme as well as offers various training and workshops in this regard,” said HE Christer Viktorsson, Director-General of the Federal Authority for Nuclear Regulation of the Unite Arab Emirates.
HE. Dr. Khalid A. Aleissa, Chief Executive Officer of the Nuclear and Radiological Regulatory Commission (NRRC) of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia thanked FANR on accepting such virtual meeting to look into future cooperation and expressed NRRC willingness to strengthen the cooperation through conducting a series of meetings to explore and identify detailed areas of cooperation, and formulating topical technical groups with emphasis on human capacity building, environmental monitoring, nuclear security, radioactive sources control in particular customs ports between KSA and UAE.
UAE’s FANR and KSA’s NRRC agreed to hold topical workshops and form working groups to exchange information and knowledge related to regulatory framework, radiation protection, nuclear safety and security as well as nuclear nonproliferation and emergency preparedness. It also agreed to discuss smart licensing systems and public communications.
The Saudi NRRC expressed its interest to participate in (ConvEx-3), which will be hosted by the UAE in 2021. ConvEx-3 is the largest and most complex exercise conducted by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and involves Member States and international organizations. It requires continuous, 24/7 operations for several days and tests arrangements for severe radiological and nuclear emergencies.