The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia expressed its aspiration to operate a regional cooperation center with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to develop human capabilities in the areas of preparedness and response to radiological and nuclear emergencies, as well as other regulatory aspects at national, regional, and international levels.

This came in a speech delivered by Saudi Minister of Energy Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman bin Abdulaziz at the 67th session of the General Conference of the IAEA that started on Monday in Vienna.

The Saudi Minister of Energy affirmed Saudi Arabia’s commitment to its national policy for atomic energy, which ensures the highest standards of transparency and reliability, and the highest levels of safety, adding that Saudi Arabia is working to develop peaceful uses for nuclear energy across various fields through close cooperation with IAEA in accordance with the best international practices, he added.

He said that the Kingdom emphasizes the importance of concerted internat
ional efforts to implement the provisions of the Non-Proliferation Treaty, ensuring its universal adherence. It also affirms the significance of countering nuclear proliferation in the Middle East, which requires fully implementing Resolution 1995 to establish a nuclear-weapon-free zone in the Middle East.

The minister also announced Saudi Arabia’s support for the “Rays of Hope” Initiative launched by the IAEA with USD 2.5 million to help save lives and address the burden of cancer diseases using nuclear techniques.

He affirmed the inherent right of countries to benefit from peaceful nuclear technology, including the nuclear fuel cycle, and to benefit from its natural resources of uranium ores commercially, in accordance with relevant international treaties and agreements.

The 67th session of the General Conference of the IAEA will be held till September 29. A range of topics that contribute to the development of the nuclear energy sector will be discussed, as well as shedding light on the global nuclear e
nergy scene.

Source: Qatar News Agency