UAE ranks fourth globally for nuclear facility protection

The United Arab Emirates has been ranked fourth globally for its protection of nuclear facilities against potential sabotage, according to the latest Nuclear Threat Initiative Security Index. The country also shared joint 15th place among 154 nations evaluated for their efforts to prevent the theft of nuclear materials, scoring 85 out of 100 points.

This score marked an improvement of two points compared to the UAE's recalculated 2023 baseline. The Nuclear Threat Initiative, in collaboration with Economist Enterprise, assessed countries based on several key factors, including physical protection, cybersecurity, international norms, and domestic capacity.

The UAE's performance in the security and control measures category demonstrated significant progress. Their score in this area rose from 66 in 2023 to 86 in 2026. This improvement was attributed to several key developments, such as strengthened requirements for nuclear facility protection, updated cybersecurity provisions, enhanced personnel vetting procedures, and measures to improve preparedness and resilience.

Hamad Al Kaabi, the director general of the Federal Authority for Nuclear Regulation, emphasized that the UAE's nuclear security regime is continuously evolving and requires ongoing vigilance and preparedness to address emerging risks.

The 2026 index also recognized the UAE as one of 12 countries designated as a new driving force for global nuclear security progress. This recognition is given to nations that have maintained domestic improvements, supported other governments, and strengthened their engagement with international institutions. The UAE's rise in the rankings reflects its long-term commitment to maintaining a robust and continuously improving nuclear security framework, with the country remaining dedicated to enhancing its capabilities, learning from international experiences, and collaborating with both national and international partners.