FANR board reviews strategic and regulatory developments

The Board of Management of the Federal Authority for Nuclear Regulation (FANR) reviewed the key regulatory updates during its meeting, along with a number of initiatives and projects aimed at enhancing operational efficiency and developing national capabilities in the nuclear sector.

Hamad Al Kaabi, Director-General of FANR, briefed members on key regulatory operations and organisational developments, including efforts to enhance customer experience, the launch of the UAE’s first National Environmental Radiation Measurements Portal, and progress in developing national nuclear capabilities.

He also highlighted FANR’s international engagement, as well as the Authority’s upcoming participation in major international nuclear-related discussions and fora.

Meanwhile, the Board of Management was presented with a status update on the operations of the four units of Barakah Nuclear Power Plant and planned activities. FANR conducts regular inspections at the nuclear power plant to ensure the operator’s compliance with all regulatory requirements and ensure the safe and secure operations.

The Members of the board received an update on the latest research and development projects being undertaken by FANR to support the continued enhancement of the UAE’s nuclear and radiation regulatory framework.

The update covered key areas of regulatory research, including nuclear safety, radiation protection, environmental studies, and emerging technologies, as well as cooperation with national and international partners.

The Board also reviewed progress in strengthening Emirati participation and in applying research outcomes to support evidence-based regulatory decision-making and long-term regulatory readiness.

The Board was also briefed on FANR’s Agentic AI Transformation Programme, which supports the UAE Government’s vision to accelerate digital transformation and harness artificial intelligence to deliver more efficient, responsive and future-ready government services.

In line with this direction, FANR is advancing the responsible adoption of Agentic AI across its regulatory procedures, government services and strategic operations, while maintaining strong governance, security and human oversight.

Meanwhile in June the Board of Management of the Federal Authority for Nuclear Regulation (FANR) held its meeting, during which members reviewed key regulatory developments and strategic priorities supporting the continued advancement of the UAE’s nuclear and radiation regulatory framework.

The Board was briefed on the outcomes of the recent visit of the Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Rafael Grossi, to the Barakah Nuclear Power Plant. During the visit, Grossi commended the UAE’s peaceful nuclear energy programme and its continued commitment to the highest standards of nuclear safety, security, transparency and international cooperation.

The IAEA Director General also highlighted the UAE’s transparent, effective and coordinated response to the incident at the Barakah nuclear power plant. He praised the professionalism and resilience of the teams involved and highlighted the strength of the UAE’s nuclear safety, security and emergency preparedness arrangements.

Grossi reaffirmed the importance of protecting nuclear facilities from attacks and threats in accordance with international principles and standards. The Board noted that the visit reinforced international confidence in the UAE’s robust regulatory framework and highlighted the strength of the longstanding engagement between the UAE and the IAEA.

The Board also received an update on the operational status of the four units of the Barakah Nuclear Power Plant, including planned refuelling outages and maintenance activities. FANR continues to conduct regular inspections to verify the operator’s compliance with regulatory requirements and to ensure the continued safe and secure operation of the plant.

The Board was also briefed on the progress in the development of a new Regulation on Enforcement Actions by FANR (FANR-REG-18), a significant enhancement to the UAE nuclear regulatory framework.

The Regulation will set out a framework for the implementation of enforcement actions, including corrective actions, administrative fines, and administrative penalties, applicable to persons engaged in the conduct of activities regulated under the Federal Law by Decree No. 6 of 2009.

The Regulation will further strengthen the effectiveness and transparency of FANR’s regulatory oversight and further promote compliance in the UAE nuclear and radiation sector.

Furthermore, the Board approved new MoUs and agreements to be concluded in 2026, covering nuclear and radiation safety, nuclear security, emergency preparedness and response, as well as research and development initiatives.

WAM