Paris: Suhail bin Mohammed Al Mazrouei, Minister of Energy and Infrastructure, led the UAE delegation to the ministerial conference Roadmap to New Nuclear 2025, held at the HQ of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) in Paris on 18-19 September.
According to Emirates News Agency, the conference was organised by the Government of the Republic of Korea and the OECD Nuclear Energy Agency (NEA). It brought together energy ministers from more than 30 countries, government representatives, and CEOs from 50 companies to discuss experiences, strategies, supply chain enhancement, workforce development, and financing resources.
The Roadmap to New Nuclear conference serves as a forum for dialogue between senior decision-makers from both government and the private sector on actions needed to reinvigorate nuclear leadership momentum within OECD member states. This year's edition marked progress in advancing nuclear power projects amidst momentum in the sector. The summit highlighted the role of nuclear energy in addressing global energy security challenges and driving economic development, building on recommendations from COP28, hosted by the UAE, which emphasized scaling up clean energy projects, including nuclear, to achieve climate goals. Around 31 countries endorsed the call to triple global nuclear energy capacity by 2050.
During the ministerial meeting, Al Mazrouei delivered the UAE's statement, stressing that the country's participation reflects its commitment to supporting international efforts aimed at advancing clean energy. He praised the role of the Nuclear Energy Agency and the Government of Korea in organising the event. Al Mazrouei underlined the international community's agreement at COP28 in Dubai to triple nuclear capacity by 2050 as a step that requires turning political commitments into practical projects, sustainable financing, and strong international partnerships.
He noted that the Barakah Nuclear Power Plant is a global model, producing 40 terawatt hours annually, equivalent to meeting about a quarter of the UAE's electricity needs with clean, reliable power, while reducing carbon emissions each year. Barakah is the first peaceful nuclear programme in the Arab world to achieve full operation in line with international standards.
Al Mazrouei added that the UAE is studying advanced nuclear technologies, including small modular reactors and new designs, to broaden nuclear applications in hydrogen production and energy supply for industries and data centres, supporting the country's climate neutrality journey. He stressed that financing remains the greatest challenge to nuclear expansion, calling for nuclear energy to be included in sustainable finance taxonomies and supported by international financial institutions. He reaffirmed the UAE's commitment to safety, security, and non-proliferation standards, and its readiness to share expertise with other nations, enhancing nuclear energy's role in addressing climate challenges, ensuring energy security, and driving economic growth.
On the sidelines of the summit, Al Mazrouei, accompanied by Hamad Ali Al Kaabi, UAE Permanent Representative to IAEA, and Mohamed Al Hammadi, Managing Director and CEO of the Emirates Nuclear Energy Company, met with Rafael Grossi, Director-General of the IAEA. The UAE delegation also included Hamad Al Kaabi, along with senior officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure, and the Emirates Nuclear Energy Company.