The Regional Radiological and Nuclear Emergency Preparedness Plan is the first of its kind and will be implemented in co-operation with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).

“Concerns about nuclear radiation after incidents, such as Fukushima, have pushed the GCC countries, keen on the physical wellbeing of their citizens, to draw up emergency plans in case there are dangerous radiation levels from leaks,” says Mohammad Mubarak Bin Daina, vice chief executive of the Supreme Council for Environment in Bahrain.

“This week The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) will hold a meeting in Vienna and will discuss the emergency plan that will deal with nuclear leaks in the Gulf or elsewhere,” he adds.

The Gulf countries will be linked with joint monitoring stations to track radiation levels. Data will be exchanged so that each country can pass on radiation warnings, if detected. This would “considerably strengthen” the GCC‘s ability to respond to nuclear emergencies, according to IAEA Asia and the Pacific division director, Ali Boussaha.

Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the UAE have previously called for a close monitoring of the nuclear situation in neighbouring Iran, expressing concern about possible hazards and dangers.