United Arab Emirates
Country Spotlight
The United Arab Emirates does not have nuclear, chemical, or biological weapons programs, but does possess ballistic and cruise missiles. The UAE operates the first nuclear power plant on the Arabian Peninsula, and its civil nuclear cooperation agreement with the U.S. is considered the “Gold Standard” for nonproliferation.
See the UAE's performance in
Region Middle East and North Africa
3 Reactor units operational at Barakah nuclear power plant
$10 million Donated to the IAEA Low Enriched Uranium (LEU) Bank in Kazakhstan
2 THAAD air and missile defense batteries deployed
Nuclear
- Signed $20 billion deal with South Korea for procurement of 4 nuclear reactors, the first of which began commercial operation in April 2021
- Signed “Gold Standard” 123 agreement with U.S. in 2009, permanently relinquishing pursuit of enrichment and reprocessing capabilities
- Strong supporter of peaceful nuclear energy
Overview of the Nuclear Disarmament Resource Collection
Biological
- Prime Minister announced in 2005 that UAE hoped to become the Middle East’s biotech hub
- Built a Biotechnology & Research Park in Dubai in 2010 that houses companies like Pfizer and Amgen
- Ratified the Biological and Toxin Weapons Convention in 2008
Tutorial on Biological Weapons Nonproliferation
United Arab Emirates Overview
Missile
- In January 2022, intercepted Houthi ballistic missiles strike; first successful operational use of THAAD system
- Purchased Black Shaheen cruise missiles from France and the UK, and ATACMS ballistic missiles from the U.S.
- Acquired Scud B ballistic missiles from North Korea in late 1980s; current status unclear
Overview: Applying New Tools to Nonproliferation: A Nuclear Detective Story
Overview of The CNS Missile and SLV Launch Databases
Chemical
- Operates large chemical industrial sector in Chemicals Industry City in Abu Dhabi
- Ratified the Chemical Weapons Convention in 2000
- Does not possess a chemical weapons program
Tutorial on Chemical Weapons Nonproliferation
NTI Tutorials
Treaties and Regimes Memberships
- NTI
- CNS
Analysis
United Arab Emirates
The CNS North Korea Missile Test Database
A collection of missile tests including the date, time, missile name, launch agency, facility name, and test outcome.
A Joint Assessment Mechanism for High-Consequence Biological Events
Palais des Nations, Room XXIII, Geneva
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8:45 am - 9:45 am CET
Diverse Voices in Peace and Security: Talia Boyd on the Importance of Including Indigenous Perspectives
Education Center