Iraq seeks membership in IAEA

Iraq’s Prime Minister, Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani, revealed on Monday that Iraq is among the first nations striving to construct nuclear reactors for peaceful purposes, adhere to IAEA treaties, and apply for IAEA membership. Al-Sudani made these statements during a meeting with IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi.

The Prime Minister emphasized Iraq’s belief that nuclear energy should lead to prosperity, not the creation of weapons, as per a statement from the Prime Minister’s Office.

Expressing Iraq’s eagerness to return to peaceful nuclear energy applications, the Prime Minister disclosed that Iraq had submitted a request to join the Convention on Nuclear Safety, the Joint Convention on the Safety of Spent Fuel Management, and the Convention on the Safety of Radioactive Waste Management by the end of 2023. He also mentioned that Iraq is keen on collaborating with the IAEA for the peaceful utilization of atomic energy.

Director General Grossi extended an invitation to Prime Minister Al-Sudani to participate in the Nuclear Energy Summit scheduled for March 21–22, 2024, in Brussels. In response, the IAEA head commended Iraq for its cooperation and assured support for Iraq’s peaceful programs, including energy, soil desalination, disease treatment, and other peaceful initiatives. Grossi expressed hope for an Iraqi delegation’s visit to the IAEA headquarters to strategize Iraq’s future development and infrastructure, as well as the acquisition of nuclear technology for peaceful purposes.