board of directors "Federal Nuclear Regulation" Reviews the latest regulatory developments
Abu Dhabi, February 4, 2017 – The Board of Directors of the Federal Authority for Nuclear Regulation, during its first meeting of 2026, which was held at the Authority’s headquarters in Abu Dhabi, discussed the Authority’s strategy for the period 2027-2029, and the work plan for 2026, in addition to a number of topics related to regulatory tasks in the nuclear and radiological sector in the country.
The Board of Directors approved the Authority’s strategy for the period 2027-2029, which represents a clear road map for strengthening the nuclear and radiation control system in the country in line with national priorities.
The strategy is based on three main axes, including nuclear governance and regulatory leadership, nuclear and radiation safety, security and safeguards, in addition to preparedness and response to nuclear and radiation emergencies.
The strategy focuses on enhancing the effectiveness of the supervisory role, establishing the highest standards of security and safety in all activities subject to supervision, supporting scientific research and building Emirati competencies, in addition to expanding cooperation with national and international partners, and ensuring readiness to keep pace with emerging technologies and future challenges in the sector.
The Authority also presented to the Council the program for zeroing out government bureaucracy for the year 2026, which is in line with the directions of the UAE government, and aims to redesign 12 basic services provided to licensees, while the presentation provided an update on what was achieved in the third cycle of the program, where during the year 2025 five main services were developed, resulting in qualitative improvements that led to reducing the time for completing transactions by more than 50%, which supports the provision of pioneering government services and enhances the culture of excellence.
Council members received a briefing on the operational status of the Barakah Nuclear Power Plant, including planned maintenance dates for each unit.
The Authority continues to carry out periodic regulatory inspections at the station to verify the operator’s compliance with regulatory requirements, and to ensure the continued safe and secure operation of the station.
The Board of Directors approved the Authority’s regulatory research program for the years 2026 and 2027, which aims to support the continued development of the regulatory framework through specialized research covering the areas of nuclear safety, radiation protection, environmental studies, analysis of serious accidents, and emerging technologies, in cooperation with local and international partners. The update also highlighted the growing participation of Emirati cadres, and the increasing focus on transforming research outputs into practical regulatory applications that support evidence-based decision-making and enhance regulatory readiness in the long term.
The Council also reviewed the most prominent achievements of the Radiation Protection Committee during the year 2025, which witnessed remarkable progress in strengthening the national framework for radiation protection. Achievements included adopting national guidelines for diagnostic reference dose levels, developing referral and qualification frameworks, and launching initiatives to address orphan radioactive sources, in addition to enhancing coordination in the areas of environmental monitoring and dosimetry.
The committee also contributed to raising the level of national preparedness to respond to radiological emergencies, and supporting capacity building through workshops and approved training programs.
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