The election of the UAE to the Board of Governors of the International Atomic Energy Agency
The UAE was re-elected to the Board of Governors of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) for the period from 2020 to 2022 during this year's annual general conference of the agency.
This step reflects the international community’s confidence in the constructive role of the state in the functions of the Vienna-based agency.
The UAE had previously held the seat from 2016 to 2018, from 2013 to 2015, and from 2010 to 2012. The Board of Governors is one of the main policy-making bodies of the International Atomic Energy Agency.
The 35-member board evaluates and makes recommendations to the general conference on the agency's financial statements, programs and budget, considers membership applications and approves safeguards agreements and promulgates safety standards for the agency. The board also considers ongoing verification reports such as Iran and North Korea's compliance reports.
The state’s permanent representative to the International Atomic Energy Agency, Hamad Ali Al-Kaabi, said, “The election of the UAE to the Board of Governors of the International Atomic Energy Agency confirms the international community’s confidence in the effective role of the UAE in the process of making international nuclear policy.”
He added that this step confirms the global appreciation for the UAE's successful efforts and its responsible approach towards developing a program for peaceful nuclear energy.
With the commissioning of the first unit of the Barakah Peaceful Nuclear Power Plant, the country has made progress in developing its national program for peaceful nuclear energy in a responsible manner.
During the development of its peaceful nuclear energy program, the UAE was keen to fully comply with and adhere to the highest standards of safety, security and non-proliferation.
The UAE is a party to all relevant conventions and agreements in the field of nuclear safety, nuclear security and safeguards, and it is an active member of the International Atomic Energy Agency since 1976, with a long-term policy to support the role of the Agency in promoting the peaceful uses of nuclear energy and facilitating the access of peaceful nuclear technology to Member States.
During its participation in the agency’s annual general conference, the UAE announced a new achievement for the Barakah peaceful nuclear energy plant, with the plant’s first reactor reaching a level of 50% of its production capacity for environmentally friendly electrical energy.
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