The Franco-Emirati strategic dialogue is an annual meeting, which aims to strengthen bilateral relations between the two countries, to identify opportunities for partnership and coordination, and to facilitate collaboration on targeted initiatives and projects.
Key sectors of bilateral cooperation, such as the economy, trade and investment, oil and gas, nuclear and renewable energies, education, culture, health, space and security, as well as other priority sectors, are addressed in this context in "ad hoc" working groups.
The CEA, co-chair with the Ambassador for International Cooperation of the UAE, H.E.M. Hamad Al Kaabi, of the "Nuclear Energy" Working Group, was represented by its Deputy Administrator General, Ms. Laurence Piketty.
Stressing the dynamism of Franco-Emirati cooperation in the nuclear field, the two Parties announced the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between CEA and ENEC, the UAE utility, in order to promote the development of collaborative projects, particularly in support of the UAE nuclear power program. They also shared the ambition to strengthen their cooperation by defining new objectives and new joint initiatives, by establishing an ambitious roadmap.
About the Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation (ENEC)
Established in 2009 and with 3,500 specialists, the Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation (ENEC) essentially has the mission of providing the energy necessary for the rapid economic development of the United Arab Emirates, while contributing to ensuring a secure and sustainable energy future in the country. Since 2012, ENEC has continued to build four nuclear units of 1,400 MW each. The divergence of the first nuclear reactor in the Arab world is expected soon. Once operational, the Barakah plant will supply around a quarter of the country's energy needs, preventing the release of 21 million tonnes of CO2 each year.