Emirati professionals have claimed four of eight leadership positions in the UAE Section of the American Nuclear Society (ANS), underlining the United Arab Emirates’ growing prominence in the global civil nuclear sector.
The election results, announced this week, include key appointments of personnel from the Emirates Nuclear Energy Company (ENEC), the operator of the Barakah Nuclear Energy Plant, the first multi-unit commercial nuclear power station in the Arab world.
Khaled Alhashmi, Long Term Technical Projects Team Leader at ENEC Operations, was elected chairman of the UAE Section. Ghaya Al Harmoodi, a nuclear engineer and regional representative for Women in Nuclear Middle East, was named vice chair. Reem Ibrahim Jasim Al Zaabi and Hind Al Blooshi were elected secretary and treasurer, respectively.
Board appointments included Dr. Abdulla Al Nuaimi and Meera Ali Al Blooshi of ENEC, as well as Khalifa University faculty members Dr. Saeed Al Ameri and Dr. Yacine Addad.
The American Nuclear Society, headquartered in the United States, is one of the most influential professional organizations in the field of nuclear science and technology.
Its UAE Section was established in 2019 to promote scientific cooperation and professional development within the region’s nuclear industry.
The strong representation of Emiratis, and particularly ENEC-affiliated experts, comes amid increased international recognition of the UAE’s civil nuclear program, which has been lauded for its adherence to safety, non-proliferation, and operational transparency.
The Barakah plant, located in the Al Dhafra region of Abu Dhabi, is now fully operational with all four of its APR-1400 reactors online. It supplies approximately 25 percent of the UAE’s electricity and prevents more than 22 million tonnes of carbon emissions annually.
The project is a cornerstone of the UAE’s Net Zero by 2050 Strategic Initiative and represents the largest single source of clean electricity in the country.
Industry analysts say the UAE’s successful commissioning of Barakah and the development of a highly trained local workforce are positioning the country as a potential leader in next-generation nuclear technologies, including small modular reactors (SMRs) and advanced reactors. ENEC is currently evaluating commercial deployment opportunities through its ADVANCE program.
The ANS UAE Section plays a critical role in facilitating knowledge exchange between professionals, academic institutions, and international stakeholders. Its growing influence reflects broader efforts to localize technical leadership in the nuclear sector and expand the country’s scientific and engineering capabilities.
The UAE is one of only a few newcomer countries to bring a full-scale commercial nuclear plant into operation in the 21st century. Its program, developed in cooperation with international partners including the Korea Electric Power Corporation (KEPCO), is increasingly viewed as a reference model for new nuclear entrants.
The latest ANS election results are expected to reinforce the UAE’s technical standing within global nuclear forums and support its ambitions to export nuclear expertise in line with international non-proliferation norms.
