UAE will participate in major nuclear conference in Vienna

Some of the major issues to be addressed include the Middle East, with Arab states calling on Israel to join the Non-Proliferation Treaty.

Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation has announced that more than 55 per cent of Unit 1 at the Barakah complex is complete. Courtesy ENEC

ABU DHABI // The UAE will participate in a major annual nuclear conference in Vienna next week to discuss countries’ atomic activities and plans for the future.

Arab states are expected to use the event to urge Israel to join the nuclear non-proliferation treaty and place all its facilities under safeguards of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).

“The UAE exhibit will feature a showcase of the UAE nuclear programme progress as well as information on the close cooperation activities with the agency,” said Hamad Alkaabi, the UAE permanent representative to the IAEA.

“The UAE delegation looks forward to the conference and we have scheduled many side meetings with senior agency officials and other delegations to discuss nuclear cooperation and issues of mutual interest.”

Last week, Abu Dhabi was issued licences for its third and fourth nuclear reactors at Barakah.

Countries will report on their nuclear activities, plans and cooperation with the agency, and outline their positions on issues ranging from non-proliferation and verification to applications in medicine and agriculture.

“The 58th General Conference is the