Partnering between the IAEA Collaboration Center for Human Resource and Nuclear Energy Infrastructure Development & Gulf Nuclear Energy Infrastructure Institute (GNEII)

Over the course of its operational history, the Gulf Nuclear Energy Infrastructure Institute (GNEII) has aimed to develop a responsible nuclear energy culture and institutionalize key nuclear energy safety, safeguards, and security (‘3S’) norms in the future decision-makers of the Gulf-region nuclear power programs. Similarly, the International Atomic Energy Agency’s (IAEA) Collaboration Center for Human Resource and Nuclear Energy Infrastructure Development—established in 2017—seeks to enhance Member States’ capabilities in building and assessing the infrastructure required for a nuclear power programme, as well as developing critical competences required for infrastructure development. The similarities in mission between the two entities provide a fertile ground for a partnership that can enhance the goals of each in a mutually beneficial manner. Though this partnership is still maturing, there are several areas in which the two entities—GNEII and the Collaboration Center—can leverage the expertise, capabilities, and experiences of the other to enhance the knowledge transfer from the UAE in building its nuclear power infrastructure to other embarking IAEA Member States. Options for partnering range from developing and implementing specific short courses to hosting best practices/lessons learned workshops to designing advanced versions of IAEA Nuclear Energy Management and Nuclear Infrastructure Development Schools. Each of the options within this spectrum are intended to train professionals from Member States in critical areas of nuclear power infrastructure development, such as nuclear safety, security, safeguards, stakeholder involvement, legal and regulatory framework and others. This paper will briefly introduce the background for both GNEII and the Collaboration Center, as well as introduce how a partnership will support their respective missions for supporting responsible nuclear energy program development. Next, this paper will discuss specific options for how this partnership will manifest. Lastly, this paper will summarize the results of the current state of the partnership, identify implications for upcoming events within the partnership, and discuss the future of the partnership for serving as a regional resource supporting the development and operations of responsible nuclear energy programs. (SAND2019-0716A)