The UAE’s Federal Authority for Nuclear Regulation (FANR) and a high-level Chinese delegation have engaged in discussions to enhance cooperation in nuclear regulation.
The Chinese delegation was led by Dong Baotong, Vice Minister of the Ministry of Ecology and Environment and Administrator of the National Nuclear Safety Administration (NNSA) of China. Abdulla Nasser Al Suwaidi, Chairman of FANR’s Board of Management, along with senior FANR leadership, welcomed Dong Baotong at FANR’s headquarters in Abu Dhabi.
The discussions centered on strengthening cooperation in knowledge exchange, research and development, capacity building in nuclear safety and security and nuclear non-proliferation. It also focused on establishing regulatory frameworks for advanced nuclear technologies.
The Chinese Delegation’s visit comes as part of the ongoing collaboration between China’s National Nuclear Safety Administration and the UAE’s Federal Authority for Nuclear Regulation.
In November 2024, both sides inked a three-year action plan creating a cooperation framework across multiple nuclear regulatory sectors. In addition to this, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed in 2018, which focused on nuclear safety, non-proliferation, and capacity building.
During the delegation’s visit, FANR officials outlined their regulatory oversight of the Barakah Nuclear Power Plant, while the Chinese delegation presented the latest developments in China’s nuclear programs.
The Chinese delegation also explored FANR’s Emergency Operations Centre, where they were introduced to the UAE’s nuclear emergency preparedness and response system, along with the nation’s efforts to ensure public and environmental safety.
FANR was established in September 2009 as the regulatory body for the UAE’s nuclear sector in accordance with Federal Law by Decree No 6 of 2009, Concerning the Peaceful Uses of Nuclear Energy, which was issued by the UAE President H.H. Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan.
