Vienna – Saudi Arabia remains dedicated to its national atomic energy policy, ensuring the highest standards of transparency, reliability, and safety, stated the Kingdom’s Energy Minister, Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, at the 67th session of the General Conference of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).
He noted that Saudi Arabia acknowledges the positive impact of nuclear energy on energy security and its social and economic benefits. The Kingdom is actively developing peaceful nuclear energy applications across various sectors through close collaboration with the IAEA. This includes the Saudi National Atomic Energy Project and its initiatives, such as the construction of the Kingdom’s first nuclear power plant.
Prince Abdulaziz expressed Saudi Arabia’s interest in establishing a regional cooperation center with the IAEA. This center would focus on developing human capabilities in radiological and nuclear emergency preparedness and response, along with other regulatory aspects at national, regional, and international levels.
“The Kingdom underscores the need for collective international efforts to enforce the provisions of the Non-Proliferation Treaty and ensure its universal adoption. We also stress the importance of countering nuclear proliferation in the Middle East. In this context, we reiterate the significance of fully implementing Resolution 1995, aiming to create a nuclear-weapon-free zone in the Middle East,” the minister conveyed.
He announced Saudi Arabia’s $2.5 million support for the “Rays of Hope” Initiative by the IAEA. This initiative seeks to leverage nuclear techniques to combat cancer, reflecting the Kingdom’s ongoing commitment to the agency’s humanitarian efforts.
The minister also congratulated the IAEA and its member states on the imminent launch of the Nuclear Security Training and Demonstration Centre in Seibersdorf, set to be operational this October. Saudi Arabia pioneered the establishment and funding of this center in collaboration with other nations.
He expressed hope that the center would bolster the agency’s efforts in enhancing member states’ nuclear security capabilities and serve as a benchmark for nuclear security.
Prince Abdulaziz commended the IAEA for its neutrality and exceptional efforts in addressing non-proliferation challenges while upholding its safeguard and verification duties. He also praised the agency’s commitment to ensuring that its activities promote the peaceful use of nuclear energy.
He affirmed Saudi Arabia’s right to harness peaceful nuclear technology, including the nuclear fuel cycle, and to commercially exploit its natural uranium ore resources in line with international treaties and agreements.
Lastly, the minister reiterated Saudi Arabia’s support for the IAEA’s mission to utilize nuclear technology for the betterment of humanity. He also urged the international community to collaborate actively in advancing and firmly addressing any non-peaceful and unsafe uses of nuclear technologies.