The UAE’s Federal Authority for Nuclear Regulation, FANR, last week presented to the international community the UAE’s plans for communicating with the public during a nuclear emergency.

Fahad Al Bloushi, FANR Manager of Emergency Preparedness and Response, delivered the presentation in Vienna to the Eighth Meeting of the Representatives of Competent Authorities identified under the Convention on Early Notification of a Nuclear Accident and the Convention on Assistance in the Case of a Nuclear Accident or Radiological Emergency.

His presentation titled "UAE arrangements for communication with the public in an Emergency", describes the regulatory framework that serves as basis for national communication plans and how they adhere to International Atomic Energy Agency, IAEA, standards. The presentation also addresses the findings of a 2015 IAEA Emergency Preparedness Review mission that found that the UAE was making effective progress towards preparing for an emergency.

The conventions on early notification and assistance were agreed following the 1986 Chernobyl nuclear accident in the Soviet Union, and they create tools for nations with nuclear emergencies to alert their neighbors and the international community and to seek technical assistance as needed. The UAE acceded to both conventions in 1987.

FANR supports the UAE emergency preparedness and response programmes in cooperation with relevant national agencies such as the Ministry of Interior and the National Emergency Crisis and Disasters Management Authority. FANR engages with these stakeholders through regular meetings, workshops and exercises.

"Transparent communication with the public is essential at all time, and especially during a nuclear incident or emergency," said Salah Al Hashimi, Director of FANR’s Government Communications Department. "FANR is therefore committed to working with our international partners, such as the IAEA, to ensure that the UAE communication framework meets the highest standards."

Source :WAM