- Saudi Arabia has unveiled its plan to develop nuclear energy and radiation technologies for peaceful purposes.
- As part of developing its cooperation with the IAEA, the Kingdom deposited its instrument for acceptance of the IAEA’s Agreement on the Privileges and Immunities in August.
Saudi Minister of Energy Abdulaziz, bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, told the 68th Session of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) General Conference in Vienna that Saudi Arabia had unveiled its plan to develop nuclear energy and radiation technologies for peaceful purposes, including the construction of its first NPP.
Al Saud, who is also Chairman of the Board of Directors of King Abdullah City for Atomic & Renewable Energy (KACARE) and the Saudi Nuclear & Radiological Regulatory Commission, said the NPP project will enhance the national energy mix and support sustainable development.
He noted that Saudi Arabia has completed the essential administrative preparations related to the nuclear regulatory framework and the requirements for implementing a Comprehensive Safeguards Agreement. In July, he also requested the IAEA rescind the Small Quantities Protocol (SQP).
He said, “We are currently working with the Agency to finalise all necessary subsidiary agreements so that the SQP can be effectively rescinded by the end of December 2024.”
As Saudi Arabia does not have an operating nuclear reactor, its programme can still be monitored under the SQP, which exempts less advanced states from many reporting obligations and inspections.
IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi has been urging states that still have SQPs to amend or rescind them, describing them as a “weakness” in the global non-proliferation regime and pressing them to switch to a Comprehensive Safeguards Agreement instead.
As part of developing its cooperation with the IAEA, the Kingdom deposited its instrument to accept the IAEA’s Agreement on the Privileges and Immunities in August. “The Kingdom is committed to several international instruments related to nuclear fields, including those concerning nuclear security, safety, and safeguards,” Al Saud said.
He added that Saudi Arabia had also hosted an IAEA Integrated Regulatory Review Service (IRRS) mission in 2023, which assessed the national nuclear regulatory efforts and the overall integration of the national nuclear regulatory framework.
“This mission commended the Kingdom’s commitment to radiation safety standards and noted the progress in the regulatory nuclear and radiological framework and the commitment to continuously developing practices according to the highest international standards,” he stated.
He also announced that the Kingdom will host an international conference on nuclear emergencies in Riyadh at the end of 2025 to recognise the Agency’s important role. He noted that the Kingdom is looking forward to the cooperation of states in ensuring the success of this conference, which will contribute to enhancing the global response to nuclear and radiological emergencies.
The Kingdom is also collaborating with the IAEA to host a workshop on the Joint Convention on the Safety of Spent Fuel Management & the Safety of Radioactive Waste Management, which will invite states non-party to the Convention to enhance global efforts towards the universality of this Convention,” he added.