PERMANENT MISSION OF THE UNITED ARAB EMIRATES TO THE INTERNATIONAL ATOMIC ENERGY AGENCY November / December 2016 Volume 5 Issue 7 INSIDE THIS ISSUE NEWSLETTER UAE attended international meetings and x Committees p. 5 The UAE Permanent Mission celebrated the UAE National Day p. 3 UAE hosted activities under the framework of the Integrated Workplan with the support of the IAEA p. 4 UAE hosted the Women in Nuclear Conference in Abu Dhabi p. 2 UAE Delegation participated in the Nuclear Knowledge Management Conference p. 2 UAE Ambassador Alkaabi led the UAE delegation during the Nuclear Security Conference At the beginning of December the UAE delegation attended the Nuclear Security Conference in Vienna. Read more on p. 2 UAE hospitals Cancer Care programme gets reviewed An Expert Mission reviewed the strengths and weaknesses of healthcare and cancer care structures in UAE hospitals. The Mission focused on radiation medicine and radiation imaging. Read more on p. 4 IAEA reviewed technician training programme The Emirates Nuclear Energy Cooperation (ENEC) participated in an International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Review Mission at the beginning of December. Read more on p. 4 UAE and France strengthened nuclear cooperation Two nuclear cooperation agreements were signed between the UAE and France and show the dynamics of cooperation regarding nuclear matters. Read more on p. 5 November / December 2016 Newsletter 1
International Conferences IAEA hosted Nuclear Knowledge Management Conference With more than 450 attendants from 61 Member States and 10 organizations, the Third International Conference on Nuclear Knowledge Management: Challenges and Approaches was held in November and covered a broad range of topics. The UAE Delegation contributed actively to it in presenting a paper on Human Resource Development for Nuclear Power Programmes and a case study on Knowledge Management for Nuclear Regulatory Compliance. In addition to sharing the UAE experiences in several panels of the Conference, inter alia in the transfer of knowledge from Vendor/Technology Suppliers to relevant stakeholders. The Permanent Mission showcased UAE achievements in this area at a side exhibition during the Conference. Women in Nuclear Conference is first of its kind in the UAE and the region The Women in Nuclear Conference, held in Abu Dhabi in November, under the Patronage of H.H. Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak, was attended by over 300 participants. WiN participants visiting Barakh NPP The Conference served as a forum for panel discussions and updates on WiN activities in 2016 as well as plans for 2017. A major highlight was the inclusion of a visit to the Barakah Nuclear Power Plant (NPP) in the conference programme. IAEA hosted Nuclear Security Conference From 5 th to 9 th of December the International Conference took place in Vienna. The UAE Delegation, led by Ambassador Alkaabi, contributed with experts in panels and side events. During the Conference the UAE reiterated its position in promoting nuclear security through international coordination, cooperation and sharing of best practise. Strengthening nuclear security is a priority in light of the expansion in the use of nuclear and radioactive materials worldwide. - UAE Ambassador Hamad Alkaabi during the Nuclear Security Conference November / December 2016 Newsletter 2
UAE Permanent Mission led by Ambassador Hamad Alkaabi (second right) and H.E. Suhail Al Mazroui, UAE Minister of Energy (center), during the UAE National Day Celebration in Vienna. UAE Permanent Mission celebrated the UAE National Day On the 2 nd of December the UAE Embassy in Vienna celebrated of the 45 th National Day of the United Arab Emirates at the Kursalon in Vienna. The UAE Permanent Mission to the IAEA joined the festivity. The UAE National Day marks the UAE's Union Day between the seventh emirates. It is the anniversary of the federal unification and grand celebrations are held across the country to mark the occasion. The Celebration in Vienna was attended by over 300 guests from various embassies, politicians, partners, citizens and International Organizations from the UN, including the International Atomic UAE Ambassador Hamad Alkaabi and Janice Dunn Lee, IAEA Deputy Director and Head of the Department and Management H.E. Suhail Al Mazroui, UAE Minister of Energy (left) and IAEA Director General Yukiya Amano during the UAE National Day Energy Agency (IAEA). A highlight was the participation of the UAE minister of energy H.E. Suhail Al Mazroui and the visit of IAEA Director General Yukiya Amano November / December 2016 Newsletter 3
UAE Permanent Mission continued managing and implementing the Programme of Technical Cooperation and the Integrated Work Plan with IAEA Strengthening Cancer Management in the UAE The UAE receives IAEA expertise in specific areas of national importance. The Technical Cooperation (TC) Programme supports the UAE to enhance its capabilities in different sectors, inter alia strengthening radiation safety and protection, namely in the health sector, as well as supporting Cancer management in the UAE. In coordination with the UAE Permanent Mission and IAEA, UAE health authorities and hospitals received two expert missions under the framework of the national TC project on Strengthening Cancer Screening and Palliative Care Capacity. During the first mission, experts from the UK and Lebanon provided assistance to review strengths and weaknesses of healthcare and Cancer care structures with a focus on radiation medicine and radiation imaging. The second mission provided expert review of UAE national guidelines for Cancer screening utilizing in aging procedures to improve patient safety in public hospitals in the UAE through effective and consistent implementation of quality assurance. Both Missions were instrumental in offering experts recommendations on the current role of nuclear medicine in cancer management, appropriate indications and use. The Mission promoted radiation safety in radionuclide production and radiopharmaceutical preparation practises and shared experiences of other hospitals in the practice of Quality Assurance. Group picture of the national TC workshop on Infrastructure for Research & Development Strengthening the development of infrastructure and capacity building To consolidate the agency s support provided to the UAE s nuclear power programme in an integrated manner, the UAE concluded an Integrated Work Plan (IWP) with IAEA in 2013. Under the framework of the IWP with IAEA supporting the development of infrastructure and capacity building required for the UAE nuclear power programme, the Permanent Mission facilitated three assist visits in November and December. The first national workshop supported the development of a Research and Development (R&D) programme in the UAE to meet the IAEA requirements and to ensure the long-term sustainability. The IAEA Experts recommend the establishment of National R&D Organization(s) with defined functions and responsibilities. A scientific research committee made up of the Federal Authority for Nuclear Regulation (FANR), Emirates Nuclear Energy Cooperation (ENEC) and Khalifa University (KUSTAR) will be established to review the ENEC R&D. The second workshop, led by the Division of Nuclear Security (NSNS), consisted of both elements of an advisory mission and a training event and focused on Conducting Computer Security Assessments at Nuclear Facilities. The course showed its attendees how to identify threats and risks associated with information receipt and handling, and how to conduct a self-evaluation, an audit and computer a security. The third Mission reviewed the three year technician training programme for ENEC. The Project was included in UAE Integrated Work Plan for Quarter 4 to successfully accomplish the transition from the construction phase to the operational phase for the Barakah Nuclear Power Plant. November / December 2016 Newsletter 4
UAE signed nuclear ;lk cooperation agreement with INSTN and IRSN On the 14 December two agreements were signed between the UAE and France. The first nuclear cooperation deals with the development and implementation of Training Programmes for UAE nuclear professionals and has been signed by the UAE and the National Institute for Nuclear Science and Technology (INSTN). The agreement highlights the dynamism of the two entities on civil nuclear related affairs within the framework of the Strategic Dialogue of the UAE and France. INSTN will provide basic training in safety culture, knowledge of nuclear waste and its management, and stages of the nuclear fuel cycle for designated FANR management and technical staff and other entities. The second cooperation, signed by the UAE and the Institute for Radioprotection and Nuclear Safety (IRSN) consists of an Implementing Agreement on the Development and implementation of a research programme on the modelling of radionuclide dispersion in the UAE environment. Signing ceremony between Ambassador Hamad Alkaabi, on behalf of FANR and Phillippe Correa, Director of INSTN Signing ceremony between Ambassador Hamad Alkaabi, on behalf of FANR and Marc-Gérard Albert, Director for International Affairs of IRSN UAE attended international meetings and committees CTBTO Prep-Com From the 7 th to 9 th of November the Permanent Mission attended the Comprehensive Nuclear Test- Ban Treaty Organization Preparatory Commission (CTBTO- Prep-Com) in Vienna. The commission adopted the reports of both working groups A + B, adopted a decision on the 2017 budget and decided to renew the appointment of the Executive Secretary Mr. Lassina Zaerbo for a term of 4 years. Board of Governors As the UAE was elected as a member of the Board of Governors (BoG), the IAEA s decision making organ, for the 4 th time for the period 2016-2017, a UAE Delegation attended the Board in November. During the meeting of the 35 Board Members, the IAEA Director General Yukiya Amano outlined the 2017 Technical Cooperation Programme and briefed the members on issues including nuclear verification and monitoring in IRAN. TACC The UAE participated in the annual meeting of IAEA s Technical Assistance and Cooperation Committee (TACC), in November 2016. The Board adopted the Technical cooperation Committee report, which contained the Technical Cooperation programme for 2017 proposal and the evaluation of technical cooperation activities in 2016. During the meeting the UAE highlighted its national activities in connection with the Technical Cooperation programme and emphasized that the Agency s Technical Cooperation activities constituted the main vehicle for the statutory function of promoting the peaceful uses of nuclear energy and the transfer of nuclear technology for peaceful purposes. November / December 2016 Newsletter 5
About the Permanent Mission The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has been a Member State of the IAEA since 1976. Established in 2008, the Permanent Mission of the UAE to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) acts as the main liaison between the UAE Government and the IAEA in Vienna, Austria. In line with the UAE s development of a nuclear power programme, the Permanent Mission s main objective is to represent the interests of the UAE Government at the IAEA, and to facilitate the country s engagement and cooperation with the Agency in the areas of nuclear safety, nuclear security, non-proliferation and safeguards, technical cooperation, and the implementation of relevant international obligations. Permanent Mission of the United Arab Emirates to the International Atomic Energy Agency, Vienna Chimanistrasse 36, 1190 Vienna, Austria Tel: (+43 1) 715 00 28 Fax: (+43 1) 715 00 28 5555 E-mail: general@uae-iaea.org Website: www.uae-iaea.org Follow us: @UAE_IAEA @UAE_IAEA UAEMissionVienna @UAE_IAEA November / December 2016 Newsletter 6