International Engagement And Cooperation In Nuclear Newcomer States

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) recognized the importance of international engagement and cooperation (IE&C) at the outset of its evaluation and potential development of peaceful nuclear energy in 2009. The UAE subsequently established policy to develop any peaceful domestic nuclear power capability in partnership with the Governments and firms of responsible nations. In addition to existing legally binding international treaties that govern nuclear safety, security, safeguards and nuclear non-proliferation, States often establish formal bilateral nuclear cooperation agreements, supporting administrative arrangements and a range of other structured interactions to facilitate more practical, efficient and effective cooperation. In the area of safeguards and nuclear non-proliferation, IE&C serves to strengthen the nuclear non-proliferation regime and underpin States’ obligations to facilitate the fullest possible exchange of equipment, materials, and technological information for the peaceful uses of nuclear energy. The efficient and effective implementation of IE&C requires strategic consideration and planning in order to prioritize objectives, identify suitable partnerships, coordinate resources and gain the necessary funding. This paper identifies the significant domestic and global benefits of IE&C that should motivate State or regional authorities responsible for safeguards implementation (SRAs) to develop IE&C objectives. The paper further highlights how failure to adopt an active and coordinated strategy towards IE&C can compromise transparency, affect the international community’s perception of a State and ultimately constrain its peaceful nuclear energy ambitions.