UAE advances nuclear regulatory cooperation at IAEA General Conference
FANR led a UAE delegation to the IAEA’s 70th General Conference in Vienna, marking 50 years of membership and signing bilateral arrangements to deepen regulatory collaboration and capacity-building.
UAE delegation emphasises safety, security and cooperation
The United Arab Emirates is participating in the 70th Regular Session of the International Atomic Energy Agency General Conference in Vienna, running from 14 to 18 September 2026. The UAE delegation is led by Hamad Al Kaabi, Director-General of the Federal Authority for Nuclear Regulation (FANR), and includes representatives from FANR, the Emirates Nuclear Energy Company and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The UAE’s presence at the conference underscores its sustained commitment to the safe, secure and peaceful uses of nuclear energy. The delegation’s agenda covers nuclear safety and security, safeguards, emerging technologies and international cooperation. The participation also marks 50 years since the UAE joined the IAEA in 1976.
New agreements to boost regulatory ties
On the conference margins FANR signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Swedish Radiation Safety Authority to strengthen regulatory cooperation. FANR also concluded a Complementary Bilateral Cooperation Arrangement with the IAEA’s Department of Nuclear Safety and Security. These instruments are intended to provide frameworks for practical collaboration, technical exchanges and capacity-building between the parties.
Delegates are holding talks with international regulators and senior IAEA officials on a range of technical topics, including operating experience, radioactive waste and spent fuel management, and regulatory readiness for small modular reactors. Discussions also address the use of artificial intelligence in regulation and the development of specialist expertise.
Sharing lessons from Barakah and showcasing AI capability
Drawing on its licensing and oversight experience for the Barakah Nuclear Power Plant, FANR is sharing practical lessons that could support other countries developing or expanding nuclear programmes. The Barakah plant, operated by Abu Dhabi’s Emirates Nuclear Energy Company, remains central to the UAE’s regulatory experience.
FANR is also showcasing its Intelligent Operational Nuclear Safety (IONS) system at the conference. Developed in collaboration with the Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre, IONS combines environmental and climate data with artificial intelligence to improve monitoring and resilience at nuclear facilities. The system won the 2026 ISOP Innovation Award in the Artificial Intelligence category.
The UAE delegation is contributing to the Senior Safety and Security Regulators’ Meeting and to events on emergency preparedness and response, sharing lessons from its regulatory programme and exploring ways to strengthen international coordination and readiness.
Source: WAM