IAEA mission lauds UAE nuclear emergency readiness at Barakah plant
An advisory team from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has praised the United Arab Emirates for its strong emergency preparedness and response systems during a visit to the Barakah Nuclear Power Plant (BNPP) in the Al Dhafra region. The mission ran from 12 to 20 October 2026.
Scope of the review
The IAEA mission was part of ongoing cooperation between the UAE and the agency to improve nuclear safety, security and emergency response arrangements. It followed a visit by IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi to the UAE in June 2026, during which he stressed the need to protect nuclear facilities at all times according to international principles, laws and standards. Grossi also commended the UAE’s swift reaction to a drone strike on 17 May 2026 that targeted an electrical generator located outside the inner perimeter of the Barakah plant, noting that safety was maintained throughout the incident.
The review was conducted at the request of the UAE government. It examined safety measures at the Barakah plant, emergency preparedness and response capabilities, and lessons drawn from the event. The assessment also looked at the UAE’s response in relation to the IAEA’s Seven Indispensable Pillars for Nuclear Safety and Security, which have guided the country’s efforts to keep the facility safe during the regional conflict.
Findings and recommendations
As part of the review, IAEA experts visited the Barakah plant and held discussions with officials and technical specialists from the Federal Authority for Nuclear Regulation (FANR) and the Emirates Nuclear Energy Company (ENEC).
The IAEA team highlighted several good practices observed at the facility. These include the UAE’s adoption of the IAEA’s Seven Indispensable Pillars for Nuclear Safety and Security, its effective response and regulatory oversight after the drone strike, and ongoing efforts to strengthen operational safety, staff readiness and infrastructure resilience by applying the lessons learned.
The mission also identified lessons learned and recommendations aimed at further improving existing arrangements and supporting continuous improvement in the UAE and for the global nuclear energy sector. The recommendations cover enhancing emergency preparedness and response procedures, strengthening the reliability and resilience of critical infrastructure, and reinforcing coordination among relevant stakeholders to ensure the effective integration of nuclear safety and security measures.
Broader emergency framework
The UAE has a long-established, comprehensive national emergency preparedness and response system to handle nuclear or radiological emergencies. This system includes an integrated national emergency response plan, a network of emergency operations centres across the country, regular drills and exercises, and close coordination among relevant national and international partners.
As part of its commitment to strengthening emergency preparedness and international cooperation, the UAE hosted the IAEA’s ConvEx-3 exercise in 2021. This was one of the world’s largest international nuclear emergency exercises, with 75 countries and 12 international organisations taking part.
