Saudi Arabia advances pans for first nuclear power plant, announces international conference
Saudi Arabia’s Energy Minister, Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman, confirmed that the Kingdom is making significant strides in the development of its first nuclear power plant, as part of its national strategy for peaceful nuclear energy.
Saudi Arabia’s Energy Minister, Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman, confirmed that the Kingdom is making significant strides in the development of its first nuclear power plant, as part of its national strategy for peaceful nuclear energy.
Addressing the 68th session of the General Conference of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in Vienna, the minister emphasized the Kingdom’s commitment to global nuclear regulations and its growing role in nuclear energy development.
“We are continuing to implement our national project for peaceful nuclear energy, while our systems and infrastructure meet the required international regulatory requirements,” Prince Abdulaziz said, highlighting Saudi Arabia’s completion of the essential nuclear regulatory groundwork.
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Prince Abdulaziz, who also chairs the Board of Directors of King Abdullah City for Atomic and Renewable Energy, outlined the Kingdom’s ambitious plans to integrate nuclear energy into its national energy mix. This move, he said, aims to support both economic and social development, contributing to Saudi Arabia’s goals of sustainable national growth. “The Kingdom is moving towards benefiting from nuclear energy and its radiation applications for peaceful purposes,” he noted, stressing that the new nuclear project would align with international commitments.
In a major announcement, Prince Abdulaziz revealed that Riyadh will host the **International Conference on Nuclear Emergencies** at the end of 2025. This event, he said, will be key in strengthening global preparedness for nuclear and radiological emergencies. The minister added, “The Kingdom is looking forward to the cooperation of states in ensuring the success of this conference,” emphasizing Saudi Arabia’s dedication to enhancing global response systems.
The Kingdom has also taken steps to align fully with international nuclear safeguards. Prince Abdulaziz confirmed that Saudi Arabia submitted a request to the IAEA in July 2024 to rescind the Small Quantities Protocol, moving towards the full implementation of the Comprehensive Safeguards Agreement by the end of 2024. This decision is seen as a significant step in reinforcing Saudi Arabia’s compliance with global non-proliferation standards.
Saudi Arabia’s national nuclear regulatory infrastructure, Prince Abdulaziz emphasized, is designed to ensure strict control over nuclear materials and technology, consistent with international obligations. He praised the IAEA’s role in supporting the Kingdom’s progress, particularly through its **Integrated Regulatory Review Service (IRRS)** mission, which concluded in 2023.
The Kingdom is also playing an active role in global nuclear safety. In addition to its work on regulatory frameworks, Saudi Arabia has enhanced its radiological monitoring capabilities, offering its national resources to the IAEA’s International Emergency Center. This collaboration, Prince Abdulaziz said, will bolster international efforts in responding to nuclear incidents.
Prince Abdulaziz concluded by reaffirming Saudi Arabia’s commitment to various international nuclear agreements, including those related to nuclear security, safety, and safeguards. He also announced a workshop on nuclear waste management, hosted by the Kingdom in collaboration with the IAEA, aimed at encouraging non-party states to join the Joint Convention on the Safety of Spent Fuel Management and the Safety of Radioactive Waste Management.
With these initiatives, Saudi Arabia is positioning itself as a leader in peaceful nuclear energy development, while reinforcing its commitment to global nuclear safety and regulatory standards.
