RIYADH: In a joint effort to improve nuclear and radiation safety and protection, Saudi Arabia and Oman have signed an agreement, furthering their commitment to advancing the sector’s technology.
The memorandum of understanding aims to advance and strengthen cooperation using nuclear technologies for peaceful purposes.
The deal stipulates the exchange of experiences, information, and best practices in nuclear and radiation safety, radiation defense, and environmental protection. The agreement also aims to enable the two parties to exchange nuclear and radiation regulatory guidelines, operational experiences, studies, and research, according to the Oman News Agency.
Under the pact, both sides will work toward crisis communications and radioactive waste management and collaborate in emergency and response planning.
The MoU was co-signed by Chairman of Oman’s Environment Authority Abdullah bin Ali Al-Amri and CEO of the Saudi Nuclear and Radiological Regulatory Commission Khalid bin Abdulaziz Al-Issa.
Last September, Saudi Arabia, represented by the NRRC, signed an MoU with the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission related to technical information and cooperation in nuclear safety.
The agreement was inked by Al-Issa and the chairman of the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Christopher Hanson, according to the Saudi Press Agency.
The signing of the MoU took place as part of the activities during the 66th General Conference of the International Atomic Energy Agency.
Earlier this month, an IAEA mission noted that Saudi Arabia has demonstrated commitment to safety for all applications and occurrences of radiation sources in the country.
The agency added that the team recommended actions for improvement, including establishing a national strategy for radioactive waste management.
The statement also indicated that the Integrated Regulatory Review Service mission, the first of its kind conducted in the Kingdom, was requested by the government of Saudi Arabia and hosted by the NRRC. The 10-day mission took place from Oct. 1-10.
It is noteworthy that the NRRC is mandated with regulating activities, practices, and facilities of the peaceful and safe use of nuclear energy and ionizing radiation, protecting humans and the environment from any actual or potential radiation exposure.
This includes exposure to natural radiation, controlling and ensuring the safety and security of such uses and their compliance with nuclear safeguards, and implementing the Kingdom’s international obligations under the relevant treaties and conventions.
