The UAE is currently working with the IAEA to establish the necessary safety infrastructure for their domestic nuclear power programme. In addition, through their cooperation with the IAEA, the Emirates have sustainably expanded both physical infrastructure and human resources for material analysis, dosimetry, waste management, environmental monitoring, agriculture, water management and enhancing patients’ safety in medical applications.

With the aim of maintaining the progress already achieved, two IAEA experts and 25 representatives of various UAE government agencies recently convened in Abu Dhabi from 17 to 18 January 2016 to attend a workshop on TC project monitoring and evaluation methodologies and tools. In his opening remarks, FANR Director-General Christer Viktorsson said, "We greatly appreciate the work of the IAEA technical cooperation programme that enables the UAE to benefit fully from nuclear- and radiation-related technologies in the fields of energy, health and other areas."

The workshop, arranged by the Federal Authority for Nuclear Regulation (FANR), was followed by the self-evaluation / assessment (19 and 20 January) of all activities carried in UAE under the TC programme, from the ongoing development of a national power programme and the enhancement of the National Programme on Patient Safety and Dosimetry. Representatives from FANR, the Ministry of Health, the National Crisis and Disasters Management Authority, the Abu Dhabi Health Services Company, the Dubai Health Authority and the Zayed Military Hospital attended either the workshop or the self-assessment exercise. Furthermore, a representative of the the UAE Permanent Mission to the IAEA in Vienna was in attendance to facilitate the workshop’s progress and participating in the self-evaluation exercises. Both the NLO and FANR General Director were present at the debriefing on the findings where they acknowledge the success of the mission.

Since joining the IAEA in 1976, the IAEA has extended technical support to the UAE through more than 150 TC projects, nationally, within the region and globally. At present, the UAE has 11 ongoing, national technical cooperation projects for the 2016-2017 programme cycle.