Paris: The United Arab Emirates reaffirmed its role as a global clean energy leader this week as Suhail bin Mohammed Al Mazrouei, Minister of Energy and Infrastructure, led the country’s delegation to the Roadmap to New Nuclear 2025 ministerial conference, held on 18–19 September at the headquarters of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD).
Co-hosted by the Republic of Korea and the OECD Nuclear Energy Agency (NEA), the high-level gathering brought together ministers from more than 30 nations, along with senior government officials and top executives from 50 international companies. The event aimed to accelerate global strategies for expanding nuclear power while tackling key challenges around supply chains, workforce development, and financing.
Building on COP28 Momentum
The Paris conference followed directly on from COP28 in Dubai, where 31 countries signed a declaration to triple global nuclear capacity by 2050 as part of efforts to meet climate goals. The OECD-led talks provided an opportunity to translate that ambition into practical steps.
Minister Al Mazrouei underscored that the UAE’s active participation reflects its long-term commitment to clean and sustainable energy solutions. “Our engagement in these discussions demonstrates our belief in nuclear energy as a vital pillar of the future energy mix,” he said.
Barakah as a Regional Model
Highlighting the UAE’s achievements, Al Mazrouei pointed to the Barakah Nuclear Power Plant as a proven regional model for large-scale nuclear deployment. The plant now produces 40 terawatt-hours of electricity annually, meeting nearly a quarter of the nation’s electricity demand while preventing millions of tonnes of carbon emissions each year.
He added that the UAE is also conducting advanced studies on next-generation nuclear technologies, such as small modular reactors (SMRs). These could support the production of clean hydrogen and provide reliable power for energy-intensive industries — two areas critical to the UAE’s net-zero ambitions.
Financing: The Central Challenge
Despite the progress, the minister acknowledged that financing remains the single greatest obstacle to scaling nuclear energy globally. He called for nuclear power to be formally included in sustainable finance frameworks, enabling it to benefit from the same green financing mechanisms available to other clean energy technologies such as wind and solar.
Such recognition, he argued, would unlock new streams of capital, support innovation, and ensure nuclear energy can play its full role in the global clean energy transition.
Strengthening International Cooperation
On the sidelines of the conference, Al Mazrouei held bilateral talks with Rafael Grossi, Director-General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), joined by senior UAE officials. The discussions focused on enhancing collaboration in nuclear safety, technology development, and knowledge sharing.
The UAE has long worked closely with the IAEA to ensure the highest international standards of safety, transparency, and non-proliferation in its nuclear program. These principles have been central to the Barakah project and continue to guide the country’s approach as it explores advanced nuclear applications.
A Forward-Looking Vision
The UAE’s participation at the OECD talks underscores its broader energy strategy, which combines investment in renewables, hydrogen, and nuclear power to diversify its energy mix and reduce reliance on fossil fuels.
By engaging in global forums and showcasing the Barakah plant as a successful case study, the UAE is positioning itself not only as a regional pioneer but also as a partner in shaping the future of nuclear energy worldwide.
As the international community pushes to accelerate clean energy deployment, the UAE’s message in Paris was clear: nuclear power must remain central to the global decarbonization agenda, supported by innovation, collaboration, and sustainable financing solutions.
