UAE renews commitment to working closely with IAEA

VIENNA 16th September 2015 (WAM) - The United Arab Emirates has reiterated its commitment to working closely with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and conforming to its standards as underlined in my Government nuclear policy principles saying the Agency's role remains central and crucial to the peaceful use of nuclear technology serving both the advancement of national nuclear power programmes and other non-power applications.

Addressing the IAEA's General Conference's 59th Session today UAE Permanent Representative to the IAEA Hamad Al Kaabi said the UAE believed that the Agency maintains a fundamental function in supporting the exchange of scientific knowledge and nuclear expertise among its Member States.

he congratulated the IAEA Director General Yukiya Amano on assumption of the Presidency of the 59th Session of the IAEA General Conference and welcomed Antigua and Barbuda Barbados and Turkmenistan as new Members to the IAEA.

"Since launching of the national nuclear programme UAE has made significant progress in the development of its civil nuclear power programme and its associated infrastructure ; On the September 2nd of this year construction began on the country's fourth nuclear reactor. There are currently four nuclear power reactor units under construction at Barakah nuclear power plant with more than 75% of the of the first unit complete. In making such progress UAE views the Agency as a valuable partner following its guidance receiving required support and contributing back to the Agency work" Al Kaabi said.

He continued by saying that in meeting these milestones UAE continued to place utmost importance on nuclear safety and supports the efforts of the international community to ensure and strengthen nuclear safety adding that the work of the International Atomic Energy Agency was particularly relevant to achieve this goal.

"My country commends the Agency's efforts in producing the Fukushima Daiichi Accident Report. We note that it will be of great value to feed other programmes of the Agency including the peer reviews standards work among others. My country recognizes that the report is a product of significant intellectual capital and financial commitments that have been made by Member States including my country. My country has had the opportunity to observe and learn from the response to the accident and have taken signigicantt steps to impelment the lessons learned. The UAE pays special importance to Convention on Nuclear Safety and abides fully with its obligations. My country has supported the process leading up to the Diplomatic Conference regarding the proposed amendment to the CNS and the adoption of Vienna Declaration. To this end we call on countries with significant nuclear activities who have not yet join to join the convention and implement it at an early date. In line with measures to strengthen the country's nuclear safety infrastructure the UAE continues to benefit from the Agency's review services we have received this year a follow-up International Regulatory Review Service (IRRS) and an Emergency Preparedness Review Service (EPREV) mission."

Al Kaabi highlighted the importance milestone of the inauguration of the International Low Enriched Uranium Fuel Bank in May 2015.

"The UAE supported this initiative from its outset politically and financially . we commend the director general for the achieved progress in signing the host agreement and express appreciation for Khazakstan leadership to this endeavour. Progress on this project is a positive one and once operation the fuel bank will contribute to a network of reliable multilateral fuel services assurance mechanisms promoting the expansion of nuclear energy in a safe and responsible manner. To this end the IAEA efforts in supporting the responsible development of nuclear power globally is highly valuable. This includes convening high level conferences on nuclear power which has been important part of the agency work . UAE looks forward to hosting the next international conference on nuclear power in 2017 in Abu Dhabi .UAE will make available its long and successful experience in hosting international high level events" he said.

Al Kaabi went on to say: "My country commends the Director General's efforts in Strengthening of the Agency's Technical Cooperation activities. We remain supportive to the Agency's approach in tailoring TC projects to the needs of Member States which maintains their ownership of the respective programmes. We commend the TC department for its active engagement and valuable support to the UAE Through the TC programme UAE has been able to achieve many milestones in support the development of nuclear infrastructure among other fields including health and agriculture. In the scope of civil liability for nuclear damage we welcome the entry into force of the Convention of Supplementary Compensation for Nuclear Damage (CSC) . we are of the view such step puts us closer to a more harmonized international liability regime."

He also said the UAE believes that the IAEA has a central role in promoting nuclear security through promotion of cooperation and sharing of best practices. Furthermore the IAEA is best suited to coordinate international efforts as nuclear security is not an isolated issue from other nuclear matters under the IAEA auspices . The UAE has subscribed to and continues to implement all relevant international instruments with an objective to enhance nuclear security at the national regional and global levels.

"We have developed and implemented an Integrated Nuclear Security Support plan with the IAEA and we look forward to receive an International Physical Protection Advisory Service (IPPAS) mission in 2016. Additionally As a country that has endorsed the Amendment to the CPPNM we welcome progress in the number of countries who joined and look forward for its early entry into force. The CPPNM is undoubtedly an important part of the foundation of the global nuclear security architecture. UAE is also an active participant of the Nuclear Security Summit Series from the outset and value its contribution to the global nuclear security."

He highlighted the importance of the non-proliferation of nuclear weapons for enhancing international peace and security.

"We recognize the central role of the Agency and the importance of its Safeguards system as a verification mechanism that ensures utilizing the valuable civil applications of nuclear technology without endangering humanity to the severe consequences of nuclear proliferation. Full implementation of safeguards and commitment to non proliferation is fundamental condition to the development of nuclear programmes. States whose activities are under question should comply fully with their international obligations cooperate with the IAEA and take all required steps to address international concerns in relation to their nuclear activities including concerns related to the possible military dimension .

As a State Signatory of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons and an active participant in its review process the UAE is disappointed the 2015 NPT Conference failed to reach a consensus outcome in particular its failure to adopt a way forward to the establishment in Middle East a free zone of nuclear weapons and other WMD. We will continue to support engagement consultations and all efforts that aim at making progress to achieve such goal."

He concluded by saying the UAE was looking forward to continue working with the IAEA and the international community to ensure the responsible safe and transparent use of nuclear energy.