IAEA Commends Barakah Nuclear Plant Emergency Response and Operational Safety Resilience

Experts from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) have commended the United Arab Emirates for its emergency preparedness and response capabilities following an advisory safety mission at the Barakah Nuclear Power Plant in Abu Dhabi's Al Dhafra Region, Arabian Business reported.

Conducted from October 12 to 20, 2026, at the request of the UAE government, the review assessed plant safety arrangements, response protocols, and lessons learned after a drone strike on May 17 targeted an electrical generator situated outside the plant's inner perimeter.

The mission followed a visit in June 2026 by IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi, who reiterated the obligation under international standards to protect peaceful nuclear infrastructure. The review team examined procedures against the IAEA's Seven Indispensable Pillars for Nuclear Safety and Security.

During the mission, IAEA experts inspected the affected plant areas and held discussions with technical specialists and management from the Federal Authority for Nuclear Regulation (FANR) and the Emirates Nuclear Energy Company (ENEC).

The agency highlighted several good practices regarding regulatory oversight and infrastructure resilience, while also providing recommendations to further refine emergency preparedness, critical infrastructure reliability, and coordination across relevant authorities.