The cooperation agreement lays the foundation for joint efforts in development of nuclear science and technologies in the Arabic countries

The Arab Atomic Energy Agency and Consortium Leader of MBIR Reactor International Research Center signed an agreement on strategic cooperation in the area of peaceful atomic energy use. The document was signed by Salem Hamdi, Director General of the Arab Atomic Energy Agency (AAEA), and Vasily Konstantinov, Director General of IRC MBIR LLC.

Signing of the document became logical continuation of the dialogue between the two organizations: the Arab Atomic Energy Agency had already been a member of the Advisory Board of the MBIR Reactor International Research Center, thus emphasizing mutual interest in establishment of steady partnership. The agreement provides for cooperation between the parties in the area of scientific research, personnel training, infrastructure development and is aimed at implementation of particular joint projects in the area of peaceful atomic energy use.

Dr. Salem Hamdi, Director General of the Arab Atomic Energy Agency, noted: "It is an important step for us in implementation of the Arabic Strategy of Peaceful Atomic Energy Use. Signing of the cooperation agreement provides a specific tool for development of our key projects. We are speaking not only about applied or fundamental science, but also about the direct contribution to the economy and life quality in the Arabic countries. For example, our cooperation with the IRC MBIR will help to accelerate the works on the project for arrangement of the regional radioactive waste management system which is essential for environmental safety. Joint research with the use of MBIR reactor will enable us to gain new opportunities in development and production of radiopharmaceuticals for diagnostics and treatment of oncological diseases in the area of public healthcare. Furthermore, access to this research infrastructure means professional competences in training of specialists for our future Specialized Arabic Training Center and technological support of the countries implementing their first NPP construction projects".

Vasily Konstantinov, Director General of IRC MBIR LLC, emphasized the following in his speech: "We highly appreciate trust on the part of the Arab Atomic Energy Agency and consider this agreement as an important stage in expansion of the scope of foreign participants within MBIR Project. MBIR reactor is the most powerful research reactor in the world and in its own class. Access to its unique capabilities provides the Arabic countries with the opportunities for joint work on breakthrough projects in power engineering, nuclear medicine and industrial technologies. Besides, it will help to establish the educational environment for training of engineers and scientists working on the problems for sustainable development of the Arabic countries".

The cooperation agreement between AAEA and IRC MBIR LLC lays the foundation for development of essential research competences, enhancement of the regulatory framework and, consequently, achievement of the strategic objectives in the area of power engineering, food security and life quality improvement for the citizens of the AAEA member states. The agreement was signed with assistance of Rosatom Middle East and North Africa.

For reference:

The Arab Atomic Energy Agency (AAEA) is a specialized Arabic scientific organization working within the framework of the Arab League and engaged in nuclear sciences and their peaceful application. The Agency implements programs for enhancement of scientific and technical awareness of the citizens in the member states with regard to nuclear sciences and their peaceful use. The Agency was founded in 1988. The headquarters of the Agency are in Tunis, the Republic of Tunisia. The AAEA unites 14 Arabic states: Bahrain, Egypt, Jordan, Iraq, Yemen, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Mauritania, Palestine, the Saudi Arabia, Sudan, Syria, Tunisia.

MBIR is a multipurpose fast-neutron research reactor with sodium coolant and the thermal capacity of approximately 150 MW. The reactor is under construction in Dimitrovgrad at the site of the State Scientific Center - Research Institute for Atomic Reactors (RIAR JSC, a part of the R&D division of Rosatom State Corporation) within the framework of the national technological leadership project "New Nuclear and Energy Technologies". Currently, work is underway on installing the equipment of the reactor's primary circuit: in 2025, the cold filter-traps of the emergency heat removal system loop were installed in their design positions. As part of the primary circuit installation, adapters of hot pipelines have been welded to the reactor vessel and the first pipeline blocks; the installation of the main process equipment in the sodium storage building has been completed; a fuel handling mechanism and steam-water washing sockets for spent fuel assemblies (FA) have also been delivered. In 2026, two emergency heat exchangers weighing 7.3 tons, 5 meters high, and 1.5 meters in diameter have been installed in their design positions.

MBIR is intended for performance of reactor tests, production of radioisotopes, production of modified materials, as well as testing of new type equipment and systems. The unique capabilities of the new reactor are expected to accelerate development of solutions for the two-component nuclear power and the closed nuclear fuel cycle, as well as design of safe Generation IV nuclear power systems.

The International Research Center (IRC) in the form of an international consortium is established on the basis of MBIR reactor. The Consortium participants gain ‘fast track’ access to carry out the experiments needed for national programs of nuclear energy peaceful applications. The Consortium format allows for flexible use of the reactor resource for the demands of the scientific community. IRC MBIR Consortium is open to new members. The Joint Institute for Nuclear Research, the Nuclear Physics Institute at the Academy of Science of the Republic of Uzbekistan and Shanghai ZDAN International, a Chinese company, have already joint the Consortium as the main participants.