GCC launches regional digital platform to tackle nuclear risks
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia – The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), in collaboration with the European Union, formally launched a regional platform on Monday designed to detect and respond to radiological and nuclear threats at an early stage.
The Radiological Data Exchange Platform (RDEP) was unveiled at a high-level meeting at the GCC General Secretariat headquarters in Riyadh, attended by Jasem Mohamed al Budaiwi, Secretary General of the GCC, and Christophe Farnaud, Ambassador of the European Union to Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and Oman.
In his address, Budaiwi described the project as a major step towards strengthening the region's capacity to address nuclear and radiological emergencies.
'We are reaping the fruits of continuous and unique work through the RDEP project, which aims to mitigate the impacts of radiological and nuclear disasters in the GCC region,' he said.
The Secretary General explained that RDEP facilitates the exchange of radiological data from monitoring devices in the GCC countries and the European Union's Joint Research Centre. This allows for real-time monitoring of incidents, advanced simulation analysis and the timely provision of technical recommendations to decision-makers.
According to Budaiwi, the initiative is part of a broader regional strategy directed by GCC ministers of interior and defence to enhance preparedness and emergency response systems.
'The establishment of the Operations Room at the GCC Emergency Management Centre and the integration of early warning systems reflect the Council's commitment to safeguarding the stability and security of the region,' he stated.
Budaiwi also highlighted the role of the European Union in the project, commending the contributions of all partners involved – including specialists in nuclear and radiological emergencies.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Observer
3 days ago
- Observer
Oman committed to support rights of Palestinians
GENEVA: The Sultanate of Oman on Tuesday participated in the 113th session of the International Labour Conference in Geneva. During the conference, a draft resolution was endorsed by the International Labour Organization (ILO) to modify Palestine's membership status from "liberation movement" to "non-member observer state", besides recognising Palestine's right to full participation in the ILO meetings. During the conference, the Sultanate of Oman actively contributed to the adoption of the ILO's draft resolution on amending the membership status of Palestine. The step affirmed Oman's commitment to support the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people and promote the principles of justice in international forums. At a GCC-ILO coordination meeting held on the sidelines of the ILO conference, the Sultanate of Oman's delegation contributed to the discussion of key topics on the agenda, including a report by the ILO Director-General and a draft programme on budget for the period 2026-2027. The delegation also coordinated GCC stands on a number of technical issues released for discussion during meetings of specialised committees. In addition, Oman participated in an expanded meeting that included production parties in GCC states. During the meetings, Oman voiced its steadfast commitment to back tripartite dialogue and unify GCC stands towards the technical items listed on the agenda of the 113th session of the ILO conference. The meeting discussed key topics related to the "work environment" and its challenges. The discussion covered the draft convention on tasks related to "digital platform economy", ways of protection against biological risks in the workplace, innovative approaches and other aspects of the labour market. - ONA
Observer
3 days ago
- Observer
German Merz defends migration crackdown
BERLIN: German Chancellor Friedrich Merz on Tuesday defended his government's migration crackdown as vital to "protect public safety", a day after a court ruled one of its flagship policies was illegal. The Berlin court said on Monday that German border officials cannot turn away asylum seekers before it is determined which country should process their cases under EU rules. The court decision could "limit our room for manoeuvre a little", he acknowledged in a speech to a gathering of local government officials in Berlin. But he insisted the ruling was "preliminary", adding: "We know that we can continue with pushbacks". "We will do it to protect public safety and order in our country and to prevent cities and municipalities from becoming overwhelmed". He said the policy, which has caused tensions with some of Germany's neighbours, would be carried out "within the framework of existing European law". The measures were temporary until security at the European Union's external borders "is significantly improved", he stressed. — AFP
Muscat Daily
3 days ago
- Muscat Daily
Good news expected soon on India-Oman FTA: Minister
Muscat – India and Oman are close to finalising a Free Trade Agreement (FTA), with some 'good news' expected very soon regarding the signing of the deal, according to India's Minister of Commerce and Industry, Piyush Goyal. As reported by several Indian media outlets on Monday, Goyal stated that negotiations between India and Oman on the proposed free trade agreement are progressing towards a conclusion. The talks gained renewed momentum following Goyal's visit to Muscat in January this year. The negotiations for the agreement, officially known as the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), formally commenced in November 2023. 'I think you will see some good news very soon on the Oman FTA,' Goyal told reporters during his official visit to France, when asked whether the agreement could be concluded this year, according to PTI. Goyal was in France to hold discussions with French leaders and businesses aimed at enhancing trade and investment ties. He was also scheduled to attend a mini-ministerial meeting of the World Trade Organization (WTO) on Tuesday. Oman is India's third-largest export destination among the GCC countries. India already has a similar agreement in place with another GCC member, the United Arab Emirates, which came into effect in May 2022. India's key imports from Oman include petroleum products and urea, which together account for over 70% of total imports. Other significant imports from Oman comprise polymers of propylene and ethylene, petcoke, gypsum, chemicals, and iron and steel. Speaking about such FTAs, Goyal remarked that these agreements not only promote trade in goods and services, but also strengthen supply chains and instill confidence among businesses on both sides through stable policies and predictability, according to the PTI report. 'So, in a way, it's a big message when you conclude an FTA,' he added.
