Abu Dhabi: The UAE will highlight its commitment to safety and transparency of its peaceful nuclear energy programme at an international conference to be held in Abu Dhabi this November, a senior official told Gulf News yesterday.
The new nuclear international conference — a major gathering of global experts focused on the development of peaceful nuclear energy — will host up to 700 delegates from around the world. The conference will run at the Ritz Carlton Abu Dhabi, Grand Canal from November 11-14.
“This is first time the UAE is hosting such a high-level conference related to the nuclear industry,” Fahad Al Qahtani, Director of External Affairs and Communications at Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation (Enec),” said.
It is part of the UAE’s declared commitment to seeking advise and expertise of international organisations and experts for ensuring the safety of its nuclear programme from the outset.”
The UAE has always been highlighting the transparency of such efforts, which will be further shared at this conference, the official said.
Apart from sharing such information, the UAE will facilitate the visit of international experts attending the conference to the nuclear project sites, Al Qahtani said.
“The agenda of the conference is being finalised and this will be an important thing ,” he said.
The UAE started constructing nuclear power plants in the Western Region of Abu Dhabi as part of its strategy to diversify energy sources and minimise power generation from natural gas and oil, which offer potential export revenues.
The construction of its first nuclear power plant has already begun in Barakah. These are the first in the series of nuclear power plants being planned in the Gulf including Saudi Arabia.
In partnership with the Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation (Enec),the conference will bring international experts to provide delegates with key know-how in the initiation, design and launch of peaceful nuclear energy programmes. The conference has the backing of the World Organisation of Nuclear Operators, the World Nuclear Association, Arab Atomic Energy Association and the US-UAE Business Council.
Jasem Al Darmaki, Deputy Director General, TCA Abu Dhabi, said: “Major conferences such as this are central to our campaign to be listed by the International Conventions and Congresses Association (ICCA), among the Top 50 associations’ meetings destinations within the next five years.”
Last year Abu Dhabi city made it to the Top 100 of ICCA’s rankings, he said.