UAE showcases nuclear energy success at conference in France

A United Arab Emirates delegation, headed by Hamad Al Kaabi, Director-General of the Federal Authority for Nuclear Regulation (FANR), participated in the Roadmaps to New Nuclear 2026 Conference, held in Paris. The delegation included representatives from the Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure, FANR and the Emirates Nuclear Energy Company (ENEC).

Co-hosted by the OECD Nuclear Energy Agency (NEA) and the United States Department of Energy, the conference brought together ministers, senior government officials and nuclear industry leaders to discuss the conditions needed to advance new nuclear energy projects, including financing, supply chains, workforce development, regulatory readiness and advanced nuclear technologies.

During the conference, Al Kaabi addressed participating delegations, sharing the UAE’s experience and perspectives on the future of nuclear energy. He highlighted the need to translate growing global momentum into delivery at scale and pace, underpinned by sustained national commitment and strong institutions.

Al Kaabi also highlighted the importance of regulatory readiness for advanced nuclear technologies, including small modular reactors, and the enabling conditions required for nuclear expansion, including credible project delivery, access to finance, resilient supply chains, secure access to nuclear fuel and a skilled workforce. He stressed that as the international community looks to expand the role of nuclear energy and advance new technologies, this growth must be accompanied by resilience and the protection of peaceful nuclear facilities. He underscored that protecting the safety, security and physical integrity of nuclear facilities is a shared international responsibility and essential to maintaining public confidence in nuclear energy.

Drawing on the UAE’s experience, Al Kaabi noted that all four units of the Barakah Nuclear Energy Plant are in commercial operation, with nuclear energy providing approximately 25 per cent of the country’s electricity. He underscored that successful nuclear programmes depend not only on technology, but also on long-term planning, competent organisations and national expertise.

The UAE’s participation reflects its commitment to international cooperation and to sharing its experience in support of the responsible development of peaceful nuclear energy globally. The UAE emphasised that the next phase of nuclear development will require governments, regulators, industry, investors and international organisations to work together to create the conditions for nuclear energy to be delivered at the scale and pace required.

Meanwhile the United Arab Emirates is taking part in the 70th Regular Session of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) General Conference, being held in Vienna from 14th to 18th September 2026.

Hamad Al Kaabi, Director-General of the Federal Authority for Nuclear Regulation (FANR), is leading the UAE delegation, which includes representatives from FANR, the Emirates Nuclear Energy Company and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The UAE’s participation highlights its commitment to the safe, secure and peaceful uses of nuclear energy and marks 50 years since the country joined the IAEA in 1976.

The delegation is engaging in high-level discussions on nuclear safety and security, safeguards, emerging technologies and international cooperation.

Hamad Al Kaabi, FANR’s Director-General, said, “Our longstanding partnership with the IAEA reflects the UAE’s commitment to the safe, secure and peaceful uses of nuclear energy. As we mark 50 years of membership, we are building on this partnership to share our regulatory experience, strengthen national and international capabilities, and support the responsible use of nuclear technology for the benefit of society.” On the margins of the General Conference, FANR has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Swedish Radiation Safety Authority to strengthen regulatory cooperation, as well as a Complementary Bilateral Cooperation Arrangement with the IAEA Department of Nuclear Safety and Security. The agreements provide a framework for practical collaboration, technical exchanges and capacity-building.

The delegation is also meeting international regulators and senior IAEA officials to explore cooperation on 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.

FANR is also showcasing its Intelligent Operational Nuclear Safety (IONS) system, which has won the 2026 ISOP Innovation Award in the Artificial Intelligence category. Developed with the Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre, IONS uses environmental and climate data and artificial intelligence to strengthen the monitoring and resilience of nuclear facilities.

WAM