A delegation from the United Arab Emirates, led by Hamad Al Kaabi, Director-General of the Federal Authority for Nuclear Regulation (FANR), took part in the Roadmaps to New Nuclear 2026 Conference, which took place in Paris.
The group consisted of representatives from the Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure, FANR, and the Emirates Nuclear Energy Company (ENEC).
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Jointly organized by the OECD Nuclear Energy Agency (NEA) and the U.S. Department of Energy, the conference assembled ministers, high-ranking government officials, and leaders from the nuclear industry to address the necessary conditions for promoting new nuclear energy initiatives, such as financing, supply chains, workforce training, regulatory preparedness, and advanced nuclear technologies.
At the conference, Al Kaabi spoke to the attending delegations, discussing the UAE’s insights and experiences regarding the future of nuclear energy. He emphasized the importance of converting increasing global momentum into large-scale and rapid implementation, supported by ongoing national dedication and robust institutions.
Al Kaabi emphasized the significance of being regulatory prepared for advanced nuclear technologies, like small modular reactors, along with the necessary conditions for nuclear growth, such as reliable project execution, financial access, robust supply chains, secure nuclear fuel availability, and a competent workforce.
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He emphasized that while the global community aims to enhance the role of nuclear energy and develop new technologies, this expansion must be matched by resilience and safeguarding of peaceful nuclear installations.
Based on the UAE’s experience, Al Kaabi highlighted that all four units of the Barakah Nuclear Energy Plant are operational, with nuclear energy supplying about 25 percent of the nation's electricity. He emphasized that effective nuclear programs rely on not just technology, but also on strategic planning, skilled organizations, and domestic expertise.
The UAE's involvement demonstrates its dedication to global collaboration and to sharing its expertise in promoting the responsible advancement of peaceful nuclear energy worldwide. The UAE highlighted that the upcoming stage of nuclear advancement will necessitate collaboration among governments, regulators, industries, investors, and international entities to establish the necessary conditions for nuclear energy to be provided at the required scale and speed.
The delegation is engaging with global regulators and high-ranking IAEA officials to discuss collaboration on operational experiences, management of radioactive waste and spent fuel, and the regulatory preparedness for small modular reactors. Conversations also tackle the application of artificial intelligence in regulation and the advancement of specialized knowledge.
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FANR is presenting its Intelligent Operational Nuclear Safety (IONS) system, which received the 2026 ISOP Innovation Award in the category of Artificial Intelligence. Created in collaboration with the Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre, IONS utilizes climate and environmental data alongside artificial intelligence to enhance the oversight and resilience of nuclear installations.