Support for Nuclear Energy
If I was going to write a template on how to begin a new nuclear programme and to get the world behind you instead of against you, I would say Abu Dhabi is doing it exactly the right way. It’s best practice.
Chairwoman of the UK Atomic Energy Authority
Two things on the UAE could be a model. One is the 123 Agreement that is, I think, very robust. And then the other is the fact that they are doing it very logical, step-wise and they understand that it's not a one-year program, it will take years to get their laws, regulations, their people trained and implemented...
Former Chairman, US Nuclear Regulatory Commission
This agreement creates an important model for the anticipated global renaissance in nuclear energy. Not only does it meet the highest standards of safety, security, nonproliferation, and operational transparency, but it also creates a significant number of jobs for American companies. The United States and the UAE can meet critical economic and commercial goals with the 123 Agreement. US companies would have access to an important and potentially large market - and better position themselves for the global nuclear renaissance.
The US government would gain a greater role in supporting the UAE's model for the development of peaceful, civilian nuclear energy. Moreover, the UAE would have access to some of the world's safest and best nuclear energy technologies.
President of the US-UAE Business Council
In the past year alone, the US signed nuclear cooperation Memoranda of Understanding with Jordan, Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates, and Saudi Arabia. These agreements symbolize our shared political commitments to pursue cooperation consistent with the highest nuclear standards and to pursue deployment of nuclear power without the transfer of the most sensitive technologies.
Former US Special Envoy for Nuclear Nonproliferation
We are very grateful for the important leadership of the UAE in showing the world how nuclear power can be advanced safely, without contributing to nuclear proliferation dangers. The example that the UAE has shown as a state that intends to develop nuclear power based on international sources of fuel services is especially powerful. An IAEA-controlled fuel bank is essential to reducing global nuclear dangers because the same uranium enrichment technology that is used to make nuclear reactor fuel can also be used to make material for a nuclear weapon.
Co-Chairman, Nuclear Threat Initiative
... the growth of civilian nuclear power seems to me to be essential to meet not just the energy needs, but the climate change requirements... expansion of civilian nuclear power needs to be done according to what I would call the gold standard of safety and security. And I think that the way in which countries like the UAE have pursued their own civilian nuclear power programme with the utmost transparency, the utmost determination to meet the higher standards of safety and security and the utmost determination to work with international bodies is a very, very important signal of the way things should proceed in the future.
UK Foreign Secretary