UAE participates in first China-GCC Forum on Peaceful Use of Nuclear Technology

Al Etihad

24-04-2025

24 Apr 2025 13:20
CHENGDU (WAM)The UAE reaffirmed its commitment to peaceful nuclear energy, international collaboration, and climate action through its active participation in the First China-GCC Forum on the Peaceful Use of Nuclear Technology, taking place in Chengdu.The forum, themed 'Atoms for a Better Home', brings together senior officials, regulators, and energy experts from China and the GCC to advance strategic cooperation in nuclear science and technology.Delivering the UAE's national statement, Rashid Al Falahi, Government Affairs and International Cooperation Manager at the Federal Authority for Nuclear Regulation (FANR), emphasised the country's long-standing strategic partnership with China, rooted in trust, shared values, and a joint vision for innovation-driven development.The statement highlighted the UAE's strong regulatory and operational framework for nuclear energy, which has positioned the country as a model for the peaceful use of nuclear technology in the Arab world.During the forum, the UAE delegation engaged in a series of high-level technical visits to key nuclear facilities in China, including a cutting-edge fusion research centre, as well as Chengdu Gaotong Isotope Company and other facilities.The delegation also visited the ACP100 Small Modular Reactor (SMR) site — a hallmark of China's innovation in advanced nuclear technology — and held discussions on potential cooperation in the deployment of nuclear energy systems.The UAE's nuclear cooperation with China dates back to 2018, when the Federal Authority for Nuclear Regulation (FANR) signed a Memorandum of Understanding with China's National Nuclear Safety Administration. This agreement laid the foundation for ongoing collaboration in areas such as nuclear safety, emergency preparedness, and regulatory harmonisation.
As the China-GCC Forum continues, the UAE reiterated its intention to further deepen cooperation with China and fellow GCC states across the nuclear value chain — from policymaking and education to safety standards and advanced technologies. The UAE remains a strong advocate for peaceful nuclear development as a critical tool in energy transition and global climate action.​