Monthly Newsletter Vol.4, Issue 2 March 2015 In Focus In this Issue International Advisory Board meets in Abu Dhabi to review the UAE nuclear power programme progress p.1 Other Stories UAE Ambassadors abroad meet in Abu Dhabi for their annual forum p. 2 UAE participates at IAEA Board Meeting p.3 UAE participates at Carnegie International Nuclear Policy Conference in Washington, D.C. p.4 UAE joins Austrian Pledge calling for urgent steps toward Nuclear Disarmament p. 5 Towards 2015 NPT Review Conference: Building a Safer World without Nuclear Weapons p. 6 Nuclear Non-Proliferation Regime in the UAE p. 7 UAE Permanent Mission supports a project on Nuclear Journalism p. 8 Status of the UAE Nuclear Power Plant p. 9 Tel: +43 715 0028 Fax: +43 715 0028-5555 E-mail: general@uae-iaea.org Web: www.uae-iaea.org Twice a year the International Advisory Board meets in Abu Dhabi to review the progress of UAE nuclear power programme (Photo: IAB) International Advisory Board meets in Abu Dhabi to review the UAE nuclear power programme progress The ninth meeting of the International Advisory Board (IAB) took place in Abu Dhabi from 15-16 March 2015. Chaired by Dr. Hans Blix, the Board assessed the progress of the UAE's peaceful nuclear energy programme and provided its views on the performance of the programme in key fundamental areas of safety, security, non-proliferation, transparency and sustainability. The Board also provided recommendations for the relevant entities regarding their strategies to improve and strengthen the programme. Ambassador Hamad Alkaabi, UAE Permanent Representative to the IAEA, briefed the Board on the UAE Government s efforts in non-proliferation and international cooperation. The Board also received multiple briefs from main stakeholders including the Federal Authority for Nuclear Regulation (FANR) and the Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation (ENEC), as well as Government entities involved in the UAE nuclear programme. The IAB consists of a team of globally recognized experts in nuclear science, non-proliferation, regulatory affairs, reactor operations, waste management, human resource development and related fields. The Board meets twice a year to receive reports on the UAE s progress in achieving and maintaining the highest standards of safety, security and non-proliferation within its nuclear power programme. Based on these semi-annual reviews, the Board issues its regular reports which include evaluations and recommendations for the programme. The latest IAB Reports, which reflect outcomes of its previous meeting have been made available on the Board s website: http://www.uaeiab.ae/publications.php www.uae-iaea.org Page 1
UAE Ambassadors abroad meet in Abu Dhabi for their annual forum Over 100 UAE Ambassadors and Heads of Missions abroad met for their annual symposium from 15-16 March at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) in Abu Dhabi, the United Arab Emirates. The 9th Forum of UAE Ambassadors was held under the patronage of H.H. Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, UAE Foreign Minister, joined by Dr. Anwar Gargash, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, and other high level officials from MoFA. The two-day annual forum covered key political and economic issues and topics related to the fields of energy and public diplomacy. It also reviewed a variety of administrative and consular-related matters. Energy Panel: Minister of Energy (middle left) with Ambassador Alkaabi (middle right), IRENA Director General Adnan Amin (far right), Mohamed Al Hammadi, ENEC CEO (far left) Group Photo of Participants at the Annual Ambassadors Forum 2015, Abu Dhabi www.uae-iaea.org Page 2
Participation in the IAEA Decision Making Process UAE participates at IAEA Board of Governors Since its establishment, the UAE Permanent Mission has represented the UAE during its tenure as a Member of the IAEA s Board of Governors during two cycles. UAE was reelected in 2013 as a Board Member through September 2015. From 2 to 6 March, the UAE Permanent Mission participated at the IAEA's Board of Governors regular session and the first this year. The four-day session addressed a variety of IAEA's activities. The Agency s work in the field of the peaceful applications of nuclear safety and Technical Cooperation, including recent support provided to African countries in their fight against the Ebola epidemic, were discussed. The March deliberations of the Board also addressed nuclear verification issues, conducted by the Agency under safeguards agreements. Ambassador Hamad Alkaabi, UAE Governor to the Board, delivered several national statements during this session. The Board of Governors, which is composed of 35 Member States, is the main policy making organ that manages and directs the work of the Agency with subsequent approval at the General Conference by the all IAEA Member States. The UAE first held a seat at the Board of Governors in the period from 2010 until 2012. Meeting of the Board of Governors at the IAEA headquarters in Vienna, Austria, March 2015 (Photo: IAEA) www.uae-iaea.org Page 3
International Nuclear Policy UAE participates at Carnegie International Nuclear Policy Conference in Washington, D.C. On 24 March 2015, UAE Permanent Representative to the IAEA, Ambassador Hamad Alkaabi, took part in a panel discussion on the future global standards for nuclear cooperation during a nuclear policy conference in Washington, D.C., USA. The 2015 Carnegie International Nuclear Policy Conference was organized by the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, and convened on 23 March to discuss emerging trends in nuclear nonproliferation, disarmament, deterrence and nuclear energy. A panel discussion entitled A global standard for nuclear cooperation, emphasized the UAE s approach and experience on forging a strong international nuclear cooperation framework. Other panelists of the discussion included Cécile Maisonneuve, French Institute for International Relations, and Henk Cor van der Kwast, Special Representative of the Netherlands to the Conference on Disarmament. Among the high level keynote speakers of the conference were the IAEA Director General Yukiya Amano, U.S. Secretary of Energy Ernest Moriz and other senior officials of the nuclear industry around the world. The conference brought together over 800 experts and officials from more than 45 countries and international organizations. UAE Ambassador Hamad Alkaabi delivers remarks during the Carnegie Nuclear Policy Conference in Washington D.C. (Photo: CEIP/Kaveh Sardari) www.uae-iaea.org Page 4
Towards Global Nuclear Disarmament and Non-Proliferation UAE joins Austrian Pledge calling for urgent steps toward Nuclear Disarmament On March 20, the UAE Government announced its decision to endorse an Austrian Pledge on supporting international efforts to expedite nuclear disarmament. The initiative aims to stigmatize, prohibit and eliminate nuclear weapons in light of their unacceptable humanitarian consequences and associated risks. The "Austrian pledge" was announced by Austria in the framework of hosting and chairing the Vienna Conference on the Humanitarian Impact of Nuclear Weapons in December 2014. The Conference was attended by representatives from 158 countries, as well as international and civil society organizations. The Austrian Pledge refers to the commitment made by the endorsing States to transfer important facts and results from the Conference to various relevant international fora. Under the Austrian Pledge, endorsing States call on parties to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) to renew their commitment to the urgent and full implementation of nuclear disarmament obligations under Article VI, and to this end, to identify and pursue effective measures to fill the legal gap for the prohibition and elimination of nuclear weapons. The Pledge also calls on States that possess nuclear weapons to take concrete interim measures to reduce the risk of nuclear weapon detonations. This includes reducing the operational status of nuclear weapons and moving nuclear weapons away from deployment into storage. The aim is to diminish the role of nuclear weapons in military doctrines and to rapidly reduce all types of nuclear weapons. The Austrian Pledge outlines, amongst other issues, the importance of nuclear disarmament due to: The unacceptable harm that victims of nuclear weapons explosions and nuclear testing have experienced, and recognizing that the rights and needs of victims have not yet been adequately addressed; Understanding that the immediate, mid- and longterm consequences of a nuclear weapon explosion are significantly graver than it was understood in the past and will not be constrained by national borders; That the consequences of a nuclear weapon explosion and the risks associated with nuclear weapons concern the security of all humanity; The scope of consequences of a nuclear weapon explosion and risks associated raise profound moral and ethical questions that go beyond debates about the legality of nuclear weapons. On the occasion of the UAE joining the Austrian Pledge, H. E. Ambassador Hamad Alkaabi, UAE Permanent Representative of UAE to the IAEA, stated that the UAE endorsement of this initiative is consistent with the country s overall Government nuclear policy objectives toward strengthening nuclear non-proliferation on the one hand, and pursuing efforts to achieve global nuclear disarmament on the other hand. He also mentioned that the UAE has participated in the series of three conferences on humanitarian consequences of nuclear weapons. He added, The UAE Government shares the aspiration of a world free of nuclear weapons and therefore calls for urgent steps to achieve this goal. www.uae-iaea.org Page 5
Towards 2015 NPT Review Conference: Building a Safer World without Nuclear Weapons The Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons is the core component of the global non-proliferation regime and establishes a comprehensive, legally-binding framework for global elimination of nuclear weapons. From 27 April to 22 May, 191 States Parties to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) will assemble for their ninth Review Conference at the United Nations Headquarters in New York, USA. The 2015 NPT Review Conference will review the implementation of the Treaty since the last 2010 Review Conference. The implementation of the 1995 Resolution on the establishment of the Nuclear-Weapon-Free Zone in the Middle East (NWFZME) will be the major focus of the Conference discussions among other major pillars of the treaty. The 2015 Review Conference is expected to consider a number of key issues, including: universality of the Treaty; nuclear disarmament, including specific practical measures; nuclear non-proliferation, including the promoting and strengthening of safeguards; measures to advance the peaceful use of nuclear energy, safety and security; regional disarmament and non-proliferation; implementation of the 1995 resolution on the Middle East; measures to address withdrawal from the Treaty; measures to further strengthen the review process; and ways to promote engagement with civil society in strengthening NPT norms and in promoting disarmament education. In the interim of Review Conferences, States Parties meet three times for the Preparatory Committee (PrepCom) meetings to consider principles, objectives and ways to promote the full implementation of the Treaty, as well as its universality, and to make recommendations thereon to the Review Conference. During the PrepCom meetings, the States also make procedural preparations for the next Review Conference. It has been 20 years since the indefinite extension of the treaty. The United Arab Emirates acceded to the NPT in 1995. UAE Commitment to International Nuclear Non-Proliferation 1995: Treaty on Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) 2000: Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT) 2003: IAEA Comprehensive Safeguards Agreement 2003: IAEA Convention on the Physical Protection of Nuclear Material 2004: UN Security Council Resolution 1540 2005: UN International Convention for the Suppression of Acts of Nuclear Terrorism 2009: IAEA Amendment to the Convention on the Physical Protection of Nuclear Material 2010: IAEA Additional Protocol to Safeguards Agreement www.uae-iaea.org Page 6
Nuclear Non-Proliferation Regime in the UAE The UAE is a member to all relevant non-proliferation treaties. The Government is actively involved in non-proliferation matters beyond its own national nuclear power programme in support of global non-proliferation efforts and to enhance confidence through international cooperation in the peaceful use of nuclear power. The UAE made its political commitment to nonproliferation in 1995, upon accession to the Treaty on Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT), and prior to its decision to pursue a nuclear energy programme. This commitment was expanded later with the UAE s accession to all relevant international instruments that govern nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation. Joining the Global Alliance against Nuclear Terrorism and towards creating a World Free of Nuclear Weapons Commitment to Forgo Domestic Enrichment and Reprocessing of Nuclear Fuel The UAE s peaceful nuclear energy programme is living up to its commitment to abide by the highest standards of nuclear non-proliferation. In an effort to limit the danger of proliferation, the Government of the UAE has also adopted a policy renouncing the development of any domestic enrichment and reprocessing capability, in favor of long-term arrangements for the external supply of nuclear fuel. In 2009, the UAE Government transformed this policy commitment into a national law (Federal Law 6 of 2009) forbidding the development, construction, or operation of uranium enrichment or spent fuel reprocessing facilities within the borders of the UAE. Support for International Nuclear Fuel Bank In 2008, the UAE took the lead in support of the establishment of the IAEA international uranium fuel bank. The UAE contributed US$10 million to the establishment of the fuel bank which is being set up by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). This international low-enriched uranium fuel bank would help to provide an additional layer of assurance to the reliable international market. GICNT Plenary Meeting in Abu Dhabi, 2010 The UAE is one of nine founding members of the Non- Proliferation and Disarmament Initiative (NPDI), a cross-regional, ministerial-level group initiative created to promote and support the implementation of commitments made by all States Parties to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT), and to advocate further progress through practical contributions and proposals. The UAE supports a number of initiatives, including the Proliferation Security Initiative (PSI). The PSI is aimed at stopping shipments of Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD), their delivery systems and related materials worldwide. In support of this Initiative, the UAE has hosted multiple events including training exercises. The UAE is a partner nation to the Global Initiative to Combat Nuclear Terrorism (GICNT). This Initiative is aimed at strengthening global capacity to prevent, detect and respond to nuclear terrorism by conducting multilateral activities that strengthen the plans, policies and procedures of partner nations. www.uae-iaea.org Page 7
Support to Nuclear Non Proliferation and Disarmament Education UAE Permanent Mission supports a Project on Nuclear Journalism A group of senior journalists from 12 Middle Eastern countries deepen their knowledge and understanding of nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation through a project organized by the Vienna Center for Disarmament and Non-Proliferation (VCDNP), Atomic Reporters, and the James Martin Center for Non-proliferation Studies, with financial support from the UAE Permanent Mission to the IAEA. Challenges in today s nuclear journalism can be attributed to the lack of experts and independent opinions from which journalists can obtain profound knowledge and insightful views related to on-going nuclear matters. In light of supporting journalism that covers nuclear issues, the UAE Government awarded a grant to Atomic Reporters and the Vienna Center for Disarmament and Non-Proliferation (VCDNP) for a project to enhance nuclear journalism in the region. The grant supports training and networking workshops on nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation for senior journalists from countries of the Middle East. The aim of the UAE is to enhance journalistic understanding and coverage of complex nuclear issues, and therefore allow related activities to be accurately reported on and shared with the international community. Eighteen journalists representing news media in Egypt, Iran, Israel, Jordan, Oman, Palestine, Qatar, Sudan, Syria, Turkey, the UAE, and Yemen participated in the series of training workshops. It served as an introduction to the nuclear non-proliferation regime, and highlighted current proliferation challenges in the world and the Middle East. The series of training workshops focused on the history of nuclear non-proliferation and its technological aspects. The training also covered major issues on the international agenda relating to nuclear security, safety, as well as weapons of mass destruction (WMD) and nonproliferation measures. A wide range of international experts were invited as key note speakers, including senior experts from the International Atomic Energy Agency and other international organizations, national government representatives, non-governmental experts, scholars, and civil servants. Two workshops have been held so far in Vienna, upon completion of the project. Participants commented on the training programme as an eye opener and expressed their gratitude for the high-level knowledge transfer and for the opportunity to address matters with a variety of international experts. Group photo of participants of the workshop on reporting nuclear news, VCDNP Center Vienna, Austria, 23 June 2014 (Photo: Atomic Reporters) www.uae-iaea.org Page 8
Upcoming Events Status of the UAE Nuclear Power Plant Operator Submits Operation Licence Application for Nuclear Power Plant Units 1 & 2 On 26 March, the Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation (ENEC) announced that it submitted the Operating License Application (OLA) for Barakah Units 1 & 2 to the UAE s Federal Authority for Nuclear Regulation (FANR). This submission is a key milestone in the country s nuclear power programme. The OLA, which is approximately 15,000 pages in length, culminates the five-year-long process which began in 2010 with ENEC and the Korea Electric Power Corporation s approval of the Construction License Application by FANR for Units 1 & 2. Currently, three out of four nuclear reactors are under construction at Barakah, in the Western Region of Abu Dhabi. Barakah Unit 1 is projected to be operational by 2017. April 15-16, Integrated Work Plan (IWP) review and coordination meeting, Vienna, Austria April 20-21, Gulf Nuclear Energy Infrastructure Institute (GNEII) Symposium, Abu Dhabi, UAE April 27- May 22, 2015 NPT Review Conference, New York, USA April 27-30, IAEA Expert team mission to Review the Regulation and Guide on Pre-Disposal Management of Radioactive Waste, Abu Dhabi, UAE 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 UAE Permanent Mission to IAEA About the Permanent Mission The UAE has been a member to the IAEA since 1976. The Permanent Mission of the United Arab Emirates to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) acts as the main liaison between the UAE government and the IAEA in Vienna, Austria. The UAE Permanent Mission was established in 2008. Its objective is to represent the interests of the UAE government at the IAEA and to facilitate the UAE s engagement and cooperation with the IAEA in the areas of nuclear safety, nuclear security, non-proliferation and safeguards, technical cooperation, and the implementation of relevant international obligations. www.uae-iaea.org Page 9