National nuclear energy project on track: Minister 

Minister of Energy Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman, speaking at the 69th session of the IAEA General Conference held in Vienna

Minister of Energy Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman said that Saudi Arabia, in cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), is proceeding with the implementation of its national nuclear energy project in all its components.

The project, which includes building the Kingdom’s first nuclear power plant, aims to achieve several goals simultaneously, such as contributing to the diversification of the national energy mix, solidifying the security of energy supplies, and supporting sustainable development, the minister added.

Speaking at the 69th session of the IAEA General Conference held in Vienna, Prince Abdulaziz highlighted that the Kingdom is undertaking these developmental efforts in line with its national requirements and within the framework of its international commitments, ensuring that its national project contributes to the transfer of knowledge and technology, as well as the development of human capabilities and national competencies, in line with best international practices.

This reinforces the Kingdom’s efforts in the peaceful use of nuclear energy to promote economic and social prosperity and to support scientific and technological progress, according to the minister.

“The Kingdom has worked to complete the basic components of administrative readiness related to nuclear regulatory work, to fulfill the requirements for meeting obligations under the Comprehensive Safeguards Agreement and its related procedures. In cooperation and coordination with the Agency, the Kingdom finalized arrangements to terminate the application of the Small Quantities Protocol and achieved full implementation of the Comprehensive Safeguards Agreement at the beginning of 2025,” said the minister.

He pointed out that the Kingdom is working with the Agency to strengthen and develop its human capacities, supporting programs to empower and develop young national talent in a way that best serves national goals and achieves sustainable development.

Additionally, the Kingdom will continue to work hand in hand with the Agency in this field, out of keenness for close cooperation with the IAEA and its constant efforts to enhance this collaboration, in order to leverage the peaceful uses of nuclear energy in achieving its developmental objectives, in line with its national needs and international commitments, the minister further stated.