IAEA commends UAE emergency response at Barakah plant

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has praised the United Arab Emirates' emergency response to an incident at the Barakah Nuclear Power Plant on 17 May 2026. A six-member IAEA advisory mission, visiting the UAE from 12 to 20 October 2026, concluded that the UAE's emergency preparedness and response mechanisms were robust and aligned with international standards. The mission was requested by the UAE government following the incident, which involved a drone strike targeting a generator outside the inner perimeter of the plant. The IAEA team evaluated the plant's performance during the emergency, the actions taken by its operator, emergency preparedness and response arrangements, and communications with the Federal Authority for Nuclear Regulation (FANR). Karine Herviou, IAEA Deputy Director General and Head of the Department of Nuclear Safety and Security, noted that the plant operator had managed the incident effectively, while FANR had monitored and overseen the response in its regulatory role. She emphasized the UAE's longstanding cooperation with the IAEA, including hosting and requesting several review missions to strengthen nuclear safety and security and align its regulatory and operational systems with international standards. The IAEA team visited the affected areas of the plant and key emergency response facilities, reviewing operating and emergency procedures and meeting senior management and technical staff from the Barakah Nuclear Power Plant (BNPP) and FANR. The team focused on plant response actions, national arrangements for emergency preparedness and response, lessons learned from the incident, and the reactor operator’s arrangements to ensure safety. Amgad Shokr, director of the IAEA Incident and Emergency Centre and leader of the mission team, stated that FANR and BNPP had demonstrated their strong commitment to safety and continuous improvement. He encouraged BNPP to continue implementing organizational and technical measures identified through the assessment of lessons learned from the event. Hamad Al Kaabi, director general of FANR, affirmed that the UAE has established a robust and comprehensive nuclear emergency preparedness and response system in line with the highest international standards, developed in close cooperation with the IAEA. He reiterated the UAE's stance on the importance of protecting nuclear facilities at all times and pledged to continue working closely with the IAEA and national partners to enhance the safety and security of nuclear facilities and ensure the protection of the community and the environment. The IAEA mission team highlighted several good practices, including the UAE's adoption of the IAEA's Seven Indispensable Pillars for Nuclear Safety and Security, its effective response and regulatory oversight following the event, and continued efforts to strengthen operational safety, staff preparedness, and infrastructure resilience through lessons learned. The mission also identified lessons learned and recommendations aimed at further strengthening existing arrangements and supporting continuous improvement in the UAE and for the global nuclear energy sector, including enhancing emergency preparedness and response arrangements, strengthening the reliability and resilience of critical infrastructure, and reinforcing coordination among relevant stakeholders to ensure the effective integration of nuclear safety and security measures. The UAE has maintained a long-established comprehensive national emergency preparedness and response system to address nuclear or radiological emergencies. This includes an integrated national emergency response plan, a network of emergency operations centers across the country, regular drills and exercises, and close coordination among relevant national and international partners. As part of its commitment to strengthening emergency preparedness and international cooperation, the UAE hosted the IAEA’s ConvEx-3 exercise in 2021, one of the world's largest international nuclear emergency exercises, with the participation of 75 countries and 12 international organizations.