GCC states are developing a regional emergency response system in case of nuclear or radiological disaster, a report said.

The Regional Radiological and Nuclear Emergency Preparedness Plan is the first of its kind and aims to equip Gulf states to be able to provide effective and appropriate emergency response in a co-ordinated and integrated manner, according to the report in the Gulf Daily News, our sister publication.

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) is providing technical assistance to GCC states in this regard.

“The essential part of the plan is linking the Gulf countries with joint monitoring stations to measure radiation levels, and to exchange data so each country can warn the others if high radiation levels are detected,” said Supreme Council for Environment Deputy Chief Executive Mohammad Mubarak Bin Daina.

A draft of the plan was reviewed by the IAEA during a workshop held at its headquarters in Vienna and attended by GCC Secretariat representatives.

IAEA Asia and the Pacific division director Ali Boussaha said the regional response mechanism would considerably strengthen GCC states’ capabilities to provide emergency response as it would combine the resources of several countries.