Saudi Energy Minister: Kingdom Forging Ahead Fully with its Nuclear Program

17/09/2025 03:29 AST

Saudi Minister of Energy, Chairman of the Board of King Abdullah City for Atomic and Renewable Energy, and Chairman of the Nuclear and Radiological Regulatory Commission Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman bin Abdulaziz said on Monday the Kingdom was forging ahead in developing its nuclear program.

Speaking at the 69th session of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) General Conference in Vienna, he stressed: "Given the importance of nuclear energy in socioeconomic development, the Kingdom has moved towards utilizing nuclear energy for peaceful purposes."

"The Kingdom, in cooperation with the IAEA, is continuing to implement its national nuclear energy project in all its components, including the construction of the first nuclear power plant in Saudi Arabia, to achieve multiple objectives: contributing to the diversification of the national energy mix, enhancing the security of supply chains, and advancing sustainable development," he went on to say.

These efforts are being pursued in line with the Kingdom's national requirements and within the framework of international obligations, he added.

The Kingdom is committed to ensuring its national program promotes knowledge and technology transfer and supports the development of national human and technical capabilities in line with international best practices, said Prince Abdulaziz.

The minister further noted that Saudi Arabia has completed the essential administrative preparations to rescind the Small Quantities Protocol in cooperation with the IAEA and has fully implemented the Comprehensive Safeguards Agreement, as of early 2025.

Moreover, he said the Kingdom underlines the importance of strengthening nuclear and radiological emergency preparedness and response capabilities at the national and international levels.

International cooperation and knowledge-sharing boost the effectiveness of the nuclear and radiological emergency response systems to ensure people's safety and environmental protection, he remarked.

The minister praised the IAEA's efforts, under the leadership of Director General Rafael Grossi, to advance initiatives that support member states in building national systems, developing human capabilities in nuclear technology, and bolstering oversight of nuclear and radiological practices.

The conference underscores the agency's key role in advancing international cooperation to harness atomic energy for peace and sustainable development, he noted.

Looking ahead, Prince Abdulaziz announced that the Kingdom will host the International Conference on Nuclear and Radiological Emergencies in Riyadh from December 1 to 4. The event will be organized by the IAEA.

Reaffirming Saudi Arabia's investment in human capital, Prince Abdulaziz stressed that investing in national talent is key to maximizing the benefits of peaceful nuclear applications.

He underlined the Kingdom's cooperation with the IAEA in supporting programs that develop and equip young professionals in the nuclear field to support national goals and achieve sustainable development.

The minister also highlighted Saudi Arabia's support for the IAEA's efforts to encourage member states to join multilateral nuclear safety agreements, noting that the Kingdom recently hosted a regional workshop in Riyadh to promote the Joint Convention on spent fuel and radioactive waste management in collaboration with the IAEA.

Prince Abdulaziz reiterated the Kingdom's determination to deepen cooperation with the IAEA and advance the peaceful use of atomic energy in support of national development goals and in line with international obligations.

Asharq Al Awsat