GCC nations meet at nuclear energy forum

Officials from the UAE and the GCC nations have assembled in the capital to discuss issues relating to the implementation of legislation regarding nuclear security, safety and safeguards. The five-day seminar aims at exploring best practices and provisions for nuclear safety 
legislation.

Attending the seminar are 70 high ranking delegates representing critical industries supporting and surrounding the delivery of peaceful nuclear power programmes across the region. Also attending the seminar are officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Environment, the State Regulatory Authority, law enforcement, police, intelligence, Customs and other government bodies.

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) event is being organised in partnership with the Critical National Infrastructure Authority (CNIA), the Federal Authority for Nuclear Regulation (FANR) and the Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation (ENEC).

In his inaugural speech, Staff Brigadier Pilot Shaikh Ahmed bin Tahnoon Al Nahyan, chairman CNIA, hoped the conference will help develop positive steps towards promoting and implementing the principles behind nuclear safety and security. He was confident that the conference will lay the basis for national policies and procedures for ensuring high levels of transparency, security, nuclear safety and non-proliferation.

The delegates will participate in a series of lectures, workshops and discussions outlining the IAEA’s requirements and recommendations in the area of nuclear safety and their applications, as well as presentations on the international instruments and synergies between safety, security and safeguards.

Mohamed Al Shamsi, Director of Nuclear Security at CNIA, said that the regulatory framework for the security and safety of nuclear infrastructure is of critical importance.

He termed it as a ‘fundamental’ element in the development of an effective and secure civil nuclear programme. “We are looking ahead to contributing to the discussions ahead and sharing and hearing best practices from across the GCC,” Al Shamsi said.

Source: Khaleej Times Online

Russia and Oman signs nuclear energy agreement

Russia and Oman have signed an agreement on nuclear energy cooperation that could see the two countries building reactors and conducting research together, Russia’s atomic agency said on Tuesday.

The document was signed by the deputy head of Rosatom, Nikolai Spasski, and the secretary general of Oman’s foreign ministry, Badr Al-Busaidi.

Oman set up a civilian nuclear energy agency last year and is a signatory to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty.

Source: The Times of India