Over 50 representatives from 20 countries met in Abu Dhabi with experts from the IAEA International Expert Group on Nuclear Liability (INLEX) to learn about and discuss the international nuclear liability regime, and to exchange information on possible difficulties, concerns and issues relating to its national implementation.
The Workshop on Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage for Newcomer Countries was part of outreach activities regularly conducted by the IAEA, with the assistance of experts from INLEX, aimed at facilitating achievement of a global nuclear liability regime. It was organized in cooperation with the Federal Authority for Nuclear Regulation (FANR) of the United Arab Emirates.
Christer Viktorsson, Director General of FANR, said: “This workshop offers a unique opportunity for the UAE and the invited newcomer countries to hear from the international experts on nuclear liability, exchange and share experience on this important topic. The development of a nuclear power programme requires a commitment to the highest standards of safety, security and non-proliferation. It also requires the development of a solid nuclear liability framework in the country in line with the international instruments on civil liability for nuclear damage. The UAE joined key international instruments on nuclear liability as well as other IAEA instruments relating to safety, security and safeguards as part of its commitments.”
At the Workshop, participants heard presentations on various aspects of the international nuclear liability regime and were given an opportunity to discuss issues of concern with leading international experts. “With this information, we can contribute a lot to our legislators and provide them with some guidelines to come up with more comprehensive and sufficient laws that would determine and guide our nuclear programme in the country,” said Teodoro Gatachalian from the Department of Science and Technology of the Philippines. Gloria Zarate Perez , from the Chilean Commission of Nuclear Energy , said: “As a representative of a country that does not have a nuclear power plant , one of the things I value the most from these kind of meetings is being able to learn and understand the importance for countries like Chile being a State party to the international treaties that regulate these matters and how these can incorporated into the national legislation of each country”.
An additional feature of the workshop was the discussion of case studies which offered an opportunity for the participants to discuss the practical application of the international nuclear liability regime, both in case of an accident at a nuclear installation and in case of an accident in the course of transport of nuclear material.
Steve McIntosh, Chairman of INLEX, said that “explaining how the regime may work in practice is essential for promoting greater adherence to the international nuclear liability conventions.”
This workshop offers a unique opportunity for the UAE and the invited newcomer countries to hear from the international experts on nuclear liability, exchange and share experience on this important topic.
