VIENNA — Minister of Energy Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman said that Saudi Arabia reaffirmed the importance of strengthening nuclear and radiological emergency preparedness and response capabilities at the national and international levels. He reiterated the Kingdom's determination to deepen cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and advance the peaceful use of atomic energy in support of national development goals and in line with international obligations. Prince Abdulaziz, who is also chairman of the Board of King Abdullah City for Atomic and Renewable Energy, and chairman of the Nuclear and Radiological Regulatory Commission, made the remarks while addressing the 69th session of the IAEA General Conference, titled "Atoms for peace and development" being held in Vienna. He stressed that international cooperation and knowledge-sharing enhance the effectiveness of the nuclear and radiological emergency response systems to ensure people's safety and environmental protection. The minister conveyed the Kingdom's appreciation for 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 enhancing oversight of nuclear and radiological practices. He noted that holding the conference affirms the agency's key role in advancing international cooperation to harness atomic energy for peace and sustainable development. Prince Abdulaziz congratulated Slovakian Ambassador Peter Burian on his appointment as president of the IAEA's 69th General Conference. He wished him success in leading the conference, which underscores the agency's vital role in promoting international cooperation to harness atomic energy for global development and peace. The minister expressed confidence that this collaboration will help achieve the conference's objectives. "Given the importance of nuclear energy in socioeconomic development, the Kingdom has moved towards utilizing nuclear energy for peaceful purposes," he said. "Saudi Arabia, in cooperation with IAEA, is continuing to implement its national nuclear energy project in all its components, including the construction of the first nuclear power plant in the Kingdom, to achieve multiple objectives: contributing to the diversification of the national energy mix, enhancing the security of supply chains, and advancing sustainable development". Prince Abdulaziz stressed that these efforts are being pursued in line with the Kingdom's national requirements and within the framework of international obligations. He noted that 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. 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. Looking ahead, Prince Abdulaziz announced that Saudi Arabia will host the International Conference on Nuclear and Radiological Emergencies in Riyadh from December 1 to 4, 2025, organized by the IAEA. He expressed the Kingdom's aspiration for the conference to deliver practical outcomes and forward-looking that enhance both national and international capabilities, with the Kingdom aiming to lead by example in this field. The minister highlighted the Kingdom's active international engagement, including its participation in the IAEA's ConvEx-3 international emergency exercise hosted by Romania. 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 underscored 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.
