Qatar affirmed its support for the efforts of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in assisting Member States to establish a framework for nuclear safety, build national competencies in the field of radiation protection, and strengthen the national measures with the regional and international measures to confront any nuclear emergencies that may occur in or outside the region.

This came in the statement of Qatar before the IAEA Board of Governors Meeting currently in session in Vienna to discuss the item "Nuclear Safety Review 2021", which was delivered by HE Qatar's Permanent Representative to the United Nations and International Organisations in Vienna Sultan bin Salmeen Al Mansouri.

HE al-Mansouri said that potential nuclear accidents has become a concern of safety and security for the international community, given the fact that the threats of nuclear and radiological accidents are transboundary.

He shed light on the aspects of co-operation between Qatar and the IAEA, expressing the gratitude of Qatar for the agency's organisation of the first virtual training course in Doha in the field of emergency preparedness and response, in co-operation with the Ministry of Municipality and Environment and the Radiation and Chemicals Protection Department.

The course was attended by 50 Qatari participants and aimed at preventing nuclear accidents.

He also appreciated the invitation extended to the Qatari mission in Vienna from the IAEA General Secretariat to participate in the full-scale international exercise (Conv EX.3), which will be conducted in October to evaluate the full operation of the international framework for emergency preparedness and response in a nuclear power plant.

In conclusion, HE al-Mansouri noted that Qatar handed over its accession document to the Convention on Nuclear Safety to the IAEA Director-General on December 14, 2020. Its membership is expected to enter into force on March 14.

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