Jan 31, 202331 January 2023, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates: the Federal Authority for Nuclear Regulation (FANR), throughout 2022, continued its commitment to carrying out its mandate to regulate the UAE's nuclear and radiological sectors and ensuring the safe, secure and peaceful use of radioactive and nuclear material. The year of 2022 was a momentous year for FANR, in which FANR demonstrated its robust regulatory capabilities making use of innovative technologies.
FANR continued its regulatory activities by issuing two regulations and one regulatory guide, covering aspects of management for safety of nuclear facilities, technical services related to radiation safety, and the certification of reactor operators. Such regulations provide a robust regulatory framework for FANR licensees to ensure they are in compliance with its regulatory requirements.
During 2022, the Board of Management approved FANR's strategy for the period from 2023 to 2026 which focuses on strengthening its regulatory framework, research and development, capacity building, advanced technology in nuclear and radiological sectors, strategic national and international cooperation as well as other regulatory matters.
One of the major milestones for FANR was issuing the operating licence for Unit 3 of the Barakah Nuclear Power Plant, following a detailed review of the licence application and around-the-clock inspections to ensure that the operator was meeting the regulatory requirements. Unit 3 is currently undergoing various tests in preparation for commercial operation.
FANR played an important role in supporting global efforts towards the development of nuclear law: H.E. Hamad Al Kaabi, the UAE's Permanent Representative to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), authored a chapter in the IAEA's first ever book on nuclear law, titled: "Nuclear Law: the Global Debate", in which he highlighted the UAE's experience in the development and regulation of its nuclear power programme. In addition to hosting the IAEA Sub-Regional Workshop on Nuclear Law, the UAE participated in the IAEA's First International Conference on Nuclear Law.
Furthermore, the UAE received the IAEA Extended Occupational Radiation Protection Appraisal Service (ORPAS) Follow-up Mission in October to review the UAE's radiation protection arrangements. The mission lauded the UAE efforts in effectively implementing the national framework for radiation protection of workers as well as considering the UAE as the first IAEA Member State to request an ORPAS review of its space programme.
During 2022, FANR strengthened its national and international cooperation by signing 11 national and international agreements covering cooperation in capacity building, research and development, nuclear security and nuclear non-proliferation.
Moreover, in a demonstration of the UAE's commitment to ensuring the peaceful use of nuclear energy, FANR hosted the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Forum in March, which provided a venue for national and international experts to exchange knowledge and experiences and to discuss challenges in matters relating to ensuring the strictly peaceful uses of nuclear material and technology.
FANR presented the UAE's Fourth National Report on Compliance with the Obligations of the Joint Convention on the Safety of Spent Fuel Management and on the Safety of Radioactive Waste Management, during the 7th review of the Joint Convention that took place in June. The report outlined the country's arrangements for managing nuclear and radioactive waste.
Another achievement was the issuance of the Orphan Sources Strategy in which FANR will work with members of the Radiation Protection Committee to develop a generic action plan to detect, search and recover orphan sources. It aims also to raise awareness among the public and facilities on possible situations that might involve radioactive sources outside regulatory control.
FANR launched the Report-to-Protect (R2P), its whistleblowing system in November, enabling its partners, licensees, employees and the public to quickly draw FANR's attention to any potential breaches of nuclear and radiological regulations as well as any fraud and misconduct issues pertaining to FANR, while guaranteeing the strictest confidentiality measures.
Furthermore, FANR launched its enhanced version of the e-Licensing system, which allows licence applicants to apply for, obtain and manage licences for conducting regulated activities. The improvements have resulted in expediting the issuance of FANR licences and to manage licence requirements.
FANR also continued its commitment to building national capacity in the nuclear and radiological sectors. FANR worked alongside the Ministry of Education to develop a curriculum for a Master of Science in Medical Physics, and collaborated with the UAE National Qualifications Centre to develop a framework for qualification of exerts in radiation protection. In addition, 8 FANR staff completed the Senior Reactor Operator Management course.
Ever since its inception in 2009, FANR has been committed to carrying out its mandate to regulate the UAE's nuclear and radiological sectors, in order to ensure the protection of workers, the public, and the environment and ensure its peaceful uses only.
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