Nov 24, 2021
The Federal Authority for Nuclear Regulation (FANR) has recently taken part in the UAE delegation attending the International Conference on a Decade of Progress after Fukushima-Daiichi: Building on the Lessons Learned to Further Strengthen Nuclear Safety. The conference was organized by the International Atomic energy Agency (IAEA) from 8 to12 November 2021.
This year marks ten years since the Fukushima-Daiichi nuclear power plant accident. Following the accident, the IAEA, with the help of nuclear community, sought to assist the Japanese authorities. Over 600 participants, including safety experts, leaders, nuclear regulators and operators, attended the conference to review lessons learned and actions taken and identify measures to further strengthen nuclear safety globally.
The conference addressed a number of topics such as ensuring the safe generation of nuclear power, emergency preparedness and response, leadership and management, communication and trust building and international legal instruments.
Meanwhile, FANR’s Director-General Christer Viktorsson took part in a panel discussion entitled “building inclusive safety leadership”. Mr. Viktorsson stressed “the strategy for introducing nuclear power in the UAE was put together based on international expertise and helped provide the roadmap to build a strong safety, security and nonproliferation infrastructure, including emergency preparedness planning and capacity building.”
On the other hand, FANR’s Hessa Al Marzooqi, Senior Emergency Preparedness and Response Officer presented the UAE nuclear emergency preparedness system to address nuclear or radiological emergencies. She highlighted that in the wake of the Fukushima-Daiichi accident, FANR requested from the Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation an assessment of its construction of the Barakah Nuclear Power Plant and take into considerations lessons learn to address any potential safety issues. While considering the licenses for the power plant, FANR approved 17 safety design enhanced the plant. Moreover, FANR also considered the need for introducing changes to its regulations and regulatory guides in light of the Fukushima accident to suit the UAE environment needs.
In October 2021, the UAE was the IAEA’s sixth country to host a 36-hour ConvEx-3 exercise where it fully activated its emergency response centres across the country to test its emergency preparedness and response capabilities simulating a radiological accident at the Barakah Nuclear Power Plant. Over 76 countries, 12 international organizations and 111 laboratories took part in the exercise.