Abu dhabi: The Federal Authority for Nuclear Regulation (FANR) hosted the International Atomic Energy Agency’s (IAEA) Level 2 Knowledge Management Assist Visit (KMAV) recently in Abu Dhabi. The mission brought together international experts to assess and enhance the UAE’s nuclear knowledge management practices with global standards and best practices.
According to Emirates News Agency, the mission was a follow-up to the initial 2014 visit and focused on areas such as policy and strategy, human resource development, tacit knowledge transfer, digital tools, and the culture of knowledge sharing. FANR teams worked closely with IAEA experts to review progress, identify strengths, and explore opportunities for further development.
Knowledge management is crucial in ensuring regulatory effectiveness, operational safety, and sustainability throughout the nuclear lifecycle-from research and design to operation, maintenance, and decommissioning. The IAEA supports Member States in these efforts through tailored Assist Visits, guidance tools, and capacity-building programs to reduce the risk of critical knowledge loss.
FANR’s Director-General, Christer Viktorsson, stated, ‘Hosting this IAEA mission reflects FANR’s commitment to regulatory excellence anchored in strong knowledge systems.’ He emphasized that by aligning with international best practices while innovating locally, FANR strengthens its national nuclear programme and contributes to global nuclear governance.
FANR has developed and institutionalised a comprehensive Knowledge Management Framework to preserve and apply critical expertise across its operations. The Authority was successfully recertified under ISO 30401:2018, making it one of the few nuclear regulators worldwide to meet this international standard. Its efforts include structured knowledge capture, mentoring, digital tools, knowledge transfer planning, and lessons learned initiatives.
FANR is recognised by external observers for having strong and comprehensive knowledge management programmes among nuclear regulators globally. Its approach spans the full employee lifecycle-from onboarding and development to succession planning and knowledge transfer-ensuring institutional continuity and resilience.
FANR also emphasizes knowledge loss risk assessments and structured lessons learned programs, helping it proactively address knowledge gaps and safeguard institutional memory. To advance its leadership, FANR plans to use artificial intelligence (AI) to make expert knowledge more accessible. A key component is introducing concept mapping to capture expert insights and train AI tools, thereby supporting new staff and enhancing regulatory decisions.
The IAEA encouraged FANR to expand its use of Communities of Practice, where experienced staff share knowledge with less experienced staff working in similar domains. This will further strengthen internal learning, build trust, and promote a culture of continuous knowledge exchange.
This mission marks a milestone in the UAE’s strategy to build a resilient and future-ready regulatory system. With nearly 20,000 professionals in the UAE’s nuclear and radiation sectors and over 78 percent Emirati representation at FANR, including 44 percent of leadership roles held by women, the country continues to serve as a global model for newcomer nuclear nations.
These achievements were highlighted at the 2024 IAEA International Conference on Nuclear Knowledge Management and Human Resources Development, reinforcing the UAE’s leadership in developing a skilled, diverse, and globally engaged nuclear workforce.