The International Ministerial Conference on Nuclear Power in the 21st Century in Abu Dhabi was held on 30th October 2017. The conference was a first in the Middle East and focused in the role of nuclear energy as a main factor to enhance international economic growth, sustainable development, and the fulfillment of international demand of energy.
Eng. Mohammed Ibrahim Al Hammadi, the CEO of the Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation (ENEC) pointed out that the use of nuclear energy provides 11% of the international electric-energy needs with almost no emissions*. He also said that the nuclear energy sector has led the Emirati economy into a drastic growth with 1400 local firm signing contracts, which reached about 3.2 Billion USD, to import products and services to Barakah NPP.
A number of important speakers participated on the first day of the conference. Some of those speakers were Mr. Hamad Al Kaabi, an Emirati Ambassador, Mr. Wang Shougun, Chairman of China Nuclear Corporation (CCNC), and Ms. Agneta Rising, Director General of World Nuclear Association (WNA).
During the conference, it was also announced that the UAE is set to establish a ‘Collaborating Center’ with the IAEA at Khalifa University for Science and Technology & Research (KUSTAR), Abu Dhabi. This center will be responsible for executing certain activities in nuclear infrastructure and human resources development.
*As of April 2017, 30 countries worldwide are operating 449 nuclear reactors for electricity generation and 60 new nuclear plants are under construction in 15 countries. Source International Atomic Energy Agency’s Power Reactor Information Systems Database.
