FANR completes workshop with Federal Customs Authority

The UAE’s Federal Authority for Nuclear Regulation, FANR, this week completed a workshop in Dubai with the Federal Customs Authority, FCA, to support Emirati customs officials’ understanding of nuclear and radioactive material safety and security as they pursue their mission to facilitate trade and combat fraud and smuggling.

Attended by 40 members from the customs agencies of the seven UAE emirates, the FANR workshop consisted of programmes to familiarize officials with the basics of nuclear science, nuclear safety and security, radiation protection and the UAE’s nuclear nonproliferation obligations, including relevant national regulations, such as FANR’s Regulation 9: Export and Import Control of Nuclear Material, Nuclear Related Items and Nuclear Related Dual-Use Items.

This week’s workshop was the first of a set of quarterly sessions FANR plans with the FCA this year. Participants received extensive briefings from FANR staff representing the Departments of Nuclear Safety, Security, Safeguards and Education and Training.

"This programme represents FANR’s strategy to educate and create awareness among our key stakeholders in the UAE about the safe, secure and peaceful use of nuclear and radiological materials," said Salah Al Hashimi, Director of FANR’s Department of Government Communication.

Speaking at the opening of the workshop, FCA Manager of International Relations Sauod Salim Al Agroobi said, "The security risks associated with trading is growing in this region, requiring regulators to increase their knowledge and share their experiences to meet those challenges and to predict risks and eliminate them."

"From this perspective came the importance of such workshops, which also represent the strong partnership between both entities," added Al Agroobi.