Saudi Arabia asserts its right to peaceful use of nuclear energy 
In his speech at the 67th session of the General Conference of the International Atomic Energy Agency in Vienna on Sept. 25, 2023, Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Energy Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman affirmed the Kingdom’s commitment to its national policy for atomic energy while ensuring the highest standards of transparency, reliability, and safety.
The minister said: “The Kingdom recognizes the positive contribution of nuclear energy to energy security, as well as its social and economic benefits.”
He went on to explain that Saudi Arabia is working to develop peaceful uses for nuclear energy across various fields through close cooperation with the IAEA, including the Saudi National Atomic Energy Project and its components, one of which is the plan to build the Kingdom’s first nuclear power plant.
Further, the minister announced his country’s $2.5 million donation to the “Rays of Hope” initiative launched by the IAEA with the aim of tackling cancer through the use of nuclear technology. He added that the donation was an extension of the Kingdom’s continued support for the agency’s efforts.
The Saudi government approved the National Atomic Energy Program on July 24, 2017. Its main objective is to support the government’s efforts to meet the growing demands for electricity generation and water desalination in Saudi Arabia by incorporating alternative sources of energy into its energy mix to reduce dependence on fossil fuels.
It must be stressed that the Kingdom is adopting nuclear energy programs for peaceful purposes, and that it affirms its commitment to strict standards to ensure the safety and security of people and the environment.
The program is in line with Saudi Vision 2030, one of the aims of which is to reduce fossil-fuel consumption and diversify the Kingdom’s energy sources, ultimately leading to the sustainability and security of national energy.
King Abdullah City for Atomic and Renewable Energy was established in 2020 with the aim of building sustainable energy sources for the Kingdom by incorporating atomic and renewable energy sources into the local energy system.
Several other initiatives have also been launched to support Saudi Arabia’s attempts to diversify its energy sources. It is clear the Kingdom is determined to expand its national energy mix in accordance with Saudi Vision 2030 by introducing an atomic energy program for civil applications.
It must be stressed that the Kingdom is adopting nuclear energy programs for peaceful purposes, and that it affirms its commitment to strict standards to ensure the safety and security of people and the environment both locally and internationally.
It is also important to note that the Kingdom has always emphasized the need to counter nuclear proliferation in the Middle East and to fully implement Resolution 1995, which aims to establish a nuclear-weapon-free zone in the Middle East.
• Talat Zaki Hafiz is an economist and financial analyst. X: @TalatHafiz
