UAE official to head World Association of Nuclear Operators

The Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation's (ENEC) Managing Director and CEO, Mohamed Ibrahim Al Hammadi, has been appointed as the new President of the World Association of Nuclear Operators (WANO).

Al Hammadi is the first Emirati and the first Arab to serve in this position. He was voted in by members during the WANO Biennial General Meeting (BGM) in Prague.

Al Hammadi highlighted his commitment to supporting newcomer nations, in addition to existing members, to enhance operational safety and reliability across the global fleet.

In his new role, he will lead WANO, featuring three members from each regional centre, and promote direct engagement of members at a high level, to successfully implement WANO’s mission.

ENEC joined WANO in October 2010, and Al Hammadi was elected to the WANO Atlanta Centre Governing Board in August 2015.

"It is an honour to be appointed President of WANO, and yet another example of the international community’s confidence in the UAE Peaceful Nuclear Energy Programme. Since its inception, the UAE Programme has been supported by an extensive network of international organisations and collaborated with some of the world’s most renowned experts in nuclear energy," said Al Hammadi.

"I look forward to promoting WANO internationally and identifying further opportunities for collaboration with other key nuclear organisations, as well as to support the development of advanced nuclear technologies, such as SMRs, to ensure we stay ahead of the curve in supporting members," he added.

WANO was created in 1989 to promote the sharing of nuclear operating lessons learned and best practice across the global fleet of civil nuclear reactors.

The group includes more than 120 members responsible for operating more than 430 nuclear energy reactors around the world including in the United States of America, Europe, and Asia.

WANO is committed to meeting a set of ambitious 2030 industry targets, helping every country and company involved in civil nuclear operations achieve the highest possible standards of nuclear safety through the exchange of information and best practices.

Mohamed Ibrahim Al Hammadi, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of @ENEC_UAE, has been appointed as the first-ever Arab President of @WANOComms, a global not-for-profit organisation that aims to maximise the safety and reliability of nuclear power plants. pic.twitter.com/ccgDZO3jZG

— مكتب أبوظبي الإعلامي (@ADMediaOffice) October 13, 2022