UAE rejects Qatar’s claims to IAEA about Barakah station

Ambassador Hamad Ali Al Kaabi said the Barakah nuclear power plant has been built to the highest safety standards

The Barakah nuclear power plant in Al Hamra, Abu Dhabi, meets international safety standards, said the UAE's IAEA representative. Wam

The UAE has dismissed claims by Qatar about the Barakah nuclear power station being built in Abu Dhabi.

Hamad Al Kaabi, the UAE’s permanent representative to the International Atomic Energy Agency, said that claims made by Qatar in a letter to the IAEA were false.

Mr Al Kaabi said the country was committed to “the highest standards of nuclear safety, security and non-proliferation as outlined in its nuclear policy in 2008”.

The UAE Nuclear Energy Programme, he said, conformed to safety standards set out by the IAEA and international best practices.

“Construction is more than 90 per cent complete and the plant is expected to be operating next year,” Mr Al Kaabi said.

“Built using third-generation nuclear technology and advanced safety features, the Korean-designed station has been the subject of more than 10 peer-reviewed missions, covering nuclear infrastructure, the legal and regulatory system, safety, security and its emergency preparedness.”

He said that the reports were publicly available and that the UAE commissioned the International Advisory Board, chaired by former IAEA director general Hans Blix, to ensure its compliance with the highest international standards.

“The UAE does not believe there is any concern regarding the safety of its nuclear power plant,” Mr Al Kaabi said. “However, we encourage interested countries to use the right venues where such information on nuclear safety can be provided and questions can be addressed – in particular, to participate at the Convention on Nuclear Safety review process to learn more about the advanced safety approach of our  programme.”