WAM Abu Dhabi, 7th May 2012 (WAM): The International Advisory Board (IAB), a body mandated to provide an independent assessment of the United Arab Emirates' (UAE) Peaceful Nuclear Energy Program, published its fourth semi-annual report today.

The report reflects the consultations, discussions and briefings that took place in Abu Dhabi in November 2011. In attendance at these meetings were members of the Board of the IAB and UAE entities operating in the nuclear energy sector, such as the Federal Authority for Nuclear Regulation (FANR) and Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation (ENEC).

The Advisory Board had formulated a number of questions and requests in its Report on the third semi-annual meeting which was held in March 2011. All of these requests were addressed throughout the various briefings during the course of their fourth meeting. The Advisory Board had underlined the importance of several requests: to visit the nuclear site at Brakah; a briefing on an assessment of safety issues associated with the reactors to be deployed at the Brakah site in light of the lessons learned from the Fukushima accident; and a briefing on cyber security.

"This report recognizes the continued progress made in the five areas of the IAB's mandate and new challenges that have arisen. The new challenges include: Learning from the Fukushima accident; developing a waste disposal policy; and creating and sustaining employment for the nuclear industry ," said Dr. Hans Blix, Chairman of IAB.

He added that "the Advisory Board had an excellent impression of the Brakah site and the considerable work that had already been carried out to make it ready for construction work. Although the Fukushima accident had occurred in a location that was much more exposed than the Brakah site and hit reactors of old design some experiences were of relevance. For instance those regarding the need for redundancy in the emergency supply of electricity." The newly-published report addresses the progress made on the recommendations outlined in the previously published reports. The report also provides further ideas and recommendations on improving and enhancing the UAE's nuclear energy program.

The report is available to the general public on the IAB's website. www.uaeiab.ae WAM/TF