- The Iraqi Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, Naeem Al-Aboudi, confirmed that Iraq is seeking the IAEA’s support to advance its nuclear energy program.
- Al-Sudani highlighted Iraq’s belief that the development of nuclear energy should lead to prosperity rather than the creation of deadly weapons.
The Iraqi Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, Naeem Al-Aboudi, confirmed that Iraq is seeking the support of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to advance the country’s nuclear energy program for peaceful purposes.
Al-Aboudi’s remarks occurred during his meeting with the IAEA’s Director General, Rafael Grossi, in the Austrian capital, Vienna. The two sides discussed the technical cooperation agreement signed between Iraq and the IAEA, the Iraqi News Agency (INA) reported.
Al-Aboudi emphasized that Iraq appreciates the IAEA’s assistance in advancing peaceful atomic energy initiatives that benefit the Iraqi people in agriculture, education, radioactive waste treatment, and nuclear medicine.
During a meeting with Grossi in March, the Iraqi Prime Minister, Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani, confirmed that Iraq was among the first countries to attempt to build nuclear reactors for peaceful uses, adhere to the IAEA’s treaties, and apply to join the agency.
Al-Sudani highlighted Iraq’s belief that the development of nuclear energy should lead to prosperity rather than the creation of deadly weapons.
Iraq requested to join the Convention on Nuclear Safety (CNS), the Joint Convention on the Safety of Spent Fuel Management, and the Convention on the Safety of Radioactive Waste Management at the end of 2023.
The Prime Minister of Iraq stated that his country wants to work toward peaceful uses of atomic energy and that it anticipates the IAEA’s assistance in approving initiatives about the advancement of nuclear applications for peaceful uses.
Grossi pledged to support Iraq’s peaceful programs, which include energy, soil desalination, disease treatment, and other peaceful fields.