UK and UAE collaborate on peaceful nuclear development
UK and UAE representatives meet at bilateral workshop in Abu Dhabi on peaceful nuclear research.
UK UAE Nuclear Workshop
UK Trade & Investment (UKTI), the commercial arm of the British Government, hosted yesterday a workshop at Khalifa University. The focus of the workshop was peaceful nuclear research, skills, radiological waste and environmental protection.
Representatives from the Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation (ENEC), the Federal Authority for Nuclear Regulation (FANR), the UK’s National Nuclear Laboratory, Amec Foster Wheeler, Mott MacDonald, Atkins and the Energy Technologies Institute all took part in this informative event.
The workshop provided participants from the UK and the UAE with a platform to share strategies, policies and ideas as well as an opportunity to build relationships for further collaboration in the nuclear energy sector.
The workshop started with welcoming addresses by Dr. Arif Al Hammadi Executive Vice President at Khalifa University and Mr. Philip Parham, UK Ambassador to the UAE, and then an update on the UK strategy from Dr. Ron Cameron a Nuclear Technology Specialist from UKTI London.
Topics discussed during the workshop included, planning and delivering nuclear research at an international level, managing radiological waste, monitoring the environmental factors and impacts of radiological waste, the UK Government’s commitment to nuclear research, and the impressive UAE project at Barakah.
Ahead of the event, Ambassador Parham said:
This is an exciting event. It builds on the strong relationship between the UK and UAE, and explores how we can help each other at the international forefront of civil nuclear development. Nuclear power remains at the heart of the British Government’s long term energy strategy. The UK has a comprehensive, established, well developed and highly regarded nuclear industry supply chain, which enjoys the accumulated knowledge and expertise of six decades. We can share this knowledge and expertise with the UAE, who are leading the Middle East in energy diversification – with renewables and with the ambitious Barakah project, which is the region’s first nuclear energy plant. We will have a lot to learn from Abu Dhabi’s conduct of the project from original concept through to licensing and commissioning.
ENEC’s Chief Executive Officer, Mohamed Al Hammadi, said:
Participating in events such as today’s workshop, hosted by UKTI, is an important component of ENEC’s commitment to international knowledge-sharing as we continue our successful progress in developing the UAE’s first nuclear energy plant through the UAE peaceful nuclear energy program. Safety, efficiency and operational excellence are our key priorities as we approach the commercial operation of our first reactor, pending regulatory approval.
“FANR actively seeks to engage with international experts so we can ensure that the UAE employs the very best nuclear regulatory practices,” said FANR Deputy Director for Operations Ian Grant. “Today’s workshop has been very constructive, and we look forward to continuing this valuable collaboration.”
Notes to Editors
UK Trade & Investment is the Government Department that helps UK-based companies succeed in the global economy. We also help overseas companies bring their high quality investment to the UK’s economy – acknowledged as Europe’s best place from which to succeed in global business. UKTI offers expertise and contacts through its extensive network of specialists in the UK, and in British embassies and other diplomatic offices around the world. We provide companies with the tools they require to be competitive on the world stage. For more information on UKTI, visit www.gov.uk/ukti.
Contact for this press release
Sam Kelly
Second Secretary
Tel: +971 4 309 4444