UAE nuclear regulator visits South Korea for 12th technical meeting to strengthen cooperation
UAE nuclear regulator visits South Korea for 12th technical meeting to advance safeguards, cybersecurity, export controls and AI in nuclear oversight today.
UAE delegation holds 12th technical meeting in Seoul
The Federal Authority for Nuclear Regulation (FANR) led a delegation to the Republic of Korea for the 12th technical meeting with Korean partners, reinforcing bilateral collaboration on peaceful nuclear applications. The visit brought together regulators and technical experts to review ongoing cooperation and align priorities on nuclear safety and non‑proliferation. The UAE nuclear regulator visit to South Korea focused on practical steps to enhance regulatory frameworks and information exchange.
Meetings with Korean safety and non‑proliferation bodies
During the visit, the FANR delegation met with the Korea Nuclear Safety and Security Commission and the Korea Institute of Nuclear Nonproliferation and Control (KINAC). Officials exchanged technical expertise on regulatory oversight, emergency preparedness and facility protection, reflecting mutual commitments to high safety standards. The meetings provided a forum to compare regulatory experiences and identify best practices that could be adapted by both sides.
Safeguards, physical protection and cybersecurity discussed
A central part of the agenda addressed safeguards and the physical protection of nuclear sites, with both delegations reviewing inspection protocols and prevention measures. Cybersecurity for nuclear facilities and regulatory systems was highlighted as an evolving risk that requires coordinated policies and technical resilience. Participants discussed strategies for threat detection, incident response and information sharing to mitigate cyber risks across nuclear infrastructures.
Digital systems for export controls and non‑proliferation
FANR outlined recent initiatives to develop digital systems that support import and export controls for nuclear materials, aiming to streamline licensing and improve traceability. Korean counterparts presented technological tools and processes used to monitor transfers and detect anomalous activity in supply chains. Both sides emphasized the role of robust electronic records and interoperable platforms in strengthening non‑proliferation measures while facilitating legitimate peaceful uses.
AI integration in regulatory oversight explored
The agenda included sessions on the use of artificial intelligence in regulatory activities, with experts examining applications for data analysis, inspection planning and risk assessment. Delegates discussed the potential benefits of machine learning for identifying patterns in operational data and enhancing predictive maintenance at nuclear sites. They also raised governance questions, stressing the need for transparent models, human oversight and rigorous validation before AI is deployed in safety‑critical contexts.
Technical exchanges aim to harmonize approaches
Throughout the meeting, exchanges were technical and operational in nature, focused on harmonizing methodologies for inspections, safeguards reporting and incident management. Delegates compared regulatory frameworks and considered joint training, workshops and technical visits to deepen institutional capacity. The UAE nuclear regulator visit to South Korea underscored a shared interest in aligning practices to international standards and improving interoperability between regulatory systems.
Next steps for bilateral cooperation agreed
Participants agreed to continue the technical dialogue, prioritize follow‑up actions and explore pilot projects in digital oversight and cybersecurity exercises. Plans were discussed for expert working groups to evaluate potential collaborative tools and to draft timelines for joint activities. Both FANR and Korean institutions signalled readiness to formalize areas of cooperation that yield measurable improvements in safety and non‑proliferation outcomes.
The delegation’s visit represents a sustained effort by the UAE and South Korea to advance peaceful nuclear uses through technical cooperation, capacity building and technology exchange. The discussions on safeguards, export controls, cybersecurity and AI will inform future regulatory enhancements and joint initiatives between FANR and its Korean counterparts.