Abu Dhabi, a future producer of nuclear energy, has gathered at the international ministerial conference hundreds of experts that will strengthen global cooperation for regulatory and safety standards and compliance with international agreement.
The International Ministerial Conference on Nuclear Energy in the 21st Century was organized by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in cooperation with the Nuclear Energy Agency of the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development, the Federal Authority for Nuclear Regulation, the Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation, Nawaat Energy Company and Baraka Al Awla and under the auspices of UAE Ministry of Energy and Industry.
The conference, which is held every four years, was attended by the ministers concerned in 64 countries, with the exception of Iran, whose seat was vacant at the opening of the conference. There has also been extensive participation by leading experts and leaders of the nuclear energy sector.
The conference discussed challenges and opportunities for developing peaceful nuclear energy programs to meet growing global energy needs and contribute to achieving sustainable development goals and mitigating the effects of climate change.
At the ministerial level, participants presented their analysis of energy strategies in their countries and their vision of the future role of the sector. They also focused on nuclear energy challenges as well as the sector’s future prospects.
UAE Minister of Energy and Industry Suhail Al Mazrouei affirmed the UAE’s commitment to using nuclear energy to meet its development needs and to continue working closely with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and the international community to promote the peaceful use of nuclear energy.
He pointed out that the global map of the nuclear sector indicates the presence of more than 448 nuclear reactors in 30 countries, and that these reactors produce about a third of the world’s production of clean energy. More than 30 other countries are estimated to be pursuing peaceful nuclear energy.
Al Mazrouei indicated that 57 additional reactors are currently in construction in the world, including four reactors in the UAE, while several others are planning to enter the nuclear energy field. He expressed confidence that nuclear energy would play an important role in addressing one of the world’s major challenges in the twenty-first century of ensuring an efficient, reliable and sustainable supply of clean energy.
He revealed that the overall achievement rate in the site of Baraka, which includes 4 reactors already reached 84 percent and more completion rate, the first unit reached more than 96 percent. The four unit will provide up to 25 percent of the UAE’s energy needs. The four units will also avoid emissions of up to 21 million tonnes of carbon dioxide per year.
Al Mazrouei said the National Energy Strategy 2050 aims to reduce carbon dioxide emissions in the UAE by 70 percent and increase energy use by 50 percent by 2050.
Meeting the growing future needs for energy requires optimum utilization of the various available energy sources, said Yukiya Amano, director general of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). Renewable energy such as wind and solar will play an increasing role, but the need will also increase the use of nuclear power to provide a steady supply of electricity and enable modern economies to meet the obligations of the Paris Convention on Climate Protection, he said.
He expressed his happiness at the wide global participation in the conference to discuss the future of nuclear energy. This reflects the growing awareness among governments that nuclear science and technology have the potential to address many major challenges in various fields, including energy, he said.
Hamad Ali Al Kaabi, Permanent Representative of the United Arab Emirates to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), said that the meeting of world leaders and experts in the field of peaceful nuclear energy in Abu Dhabi represents an excellent opportunity for the sector at the global level to analyze new developments and changes related to nuclear energy.
The conference discussed the latest innovative nuclear energy technologies necessary to adapt to diverse energy needs as well as the international cooperation needed to develop the capacity for sustainable nuclear energy management in countries.
On the sidelines of the conference, a delegation of experts from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) visited the site of the Baraka Nuclear Power Stations and briefed on the progress of the construction operations which are conducted according to the highest international standards of quality, safety and security.
