The Kingdom's statement at 68th IAEA General Conference

[M148-01] · سمو وزير الطاقة (HRH the Minister of Energy) · التوقيت 03:24:04 · The Kingdom's statement at 68th IAEA General Conference · 2024-09-16

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم May God's praise and blessings be upon his holy prophet, his family and companions. Your Excellency, the President of the General conference. Your Excellency, Mr. Rafael Grossi, Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency. Your Excellencies and Highnesses, greetings to you all. First of all, I would like to congratulate His Excellency, the Ambassador on assuming the presence of the 68th session of the General Conference, wishing him success in leading the work of this conference. The convening of this conference emphasizes the vital role of the IAA in fostering international cooperation towards harnessing the atom energy for development and global peace. I am confident that our cooperation will achieve the desired results of this conference. Your Excellency the President I would like to convey the Kingdom's appreciation for the commendable efforts undertaken by the Agency, led by its director general, Mr. Rafael Quasi, in enhancing its technical capabilities and launching outstanding initiatives which strengthens its role in providing technical support to Member States in order to build their own programs develop human capacity in nuclear technology and its regulatory fields.

[M148-02] · سمو وزير الطاقة (HRH the Minister of Energy) · التوقيت 03:26:01 · The Kingdom's statement at 68th IAEA General Conference · 2024-09-16

Given the importance of nuclear energy in social and economic development, the Kingdom is moving towards utilizing nuclear energy and its radiation applications for peaceful purposes and it continues to implement its National Nuclear Energy Program project with all its components, including the construction of the first nuclear power plant in the Kingdom to contribute to the national energy mix and to achieve their sustainable national development in accordance to the national requirements and within the framework of its international commitments. Therefore, the Kingdom has completed the essential administrative preparations related to nuclear regulatory framework as well as the requirements for implementing the Comprehensive Safeguards Agreement and has submitted a request to the agency in July 2024 to rescind the Small Quantities Protocol and implement the full IT. In July 2024 to rescind the small Quantities Protocol and implemented the full Comprehensive Safeguards Agreement. We are actually currently working with the Agency to finalize necessary subsidiary agreements for the SQP to be effectively rescinded by the end of December of this year 2024. In this regard, the Kingdom continues to stand by its legally binding international commitments related to its national nuclear energy project.

[M148-03] · سمو وزير الطاقة (HRH the Minister of Energy) · التوقيت 03:27:51 · The Kingdom's statement at 68th IAEA General Conference · 2024-09-16

The Kingdom's national legislation and institutional infrastructure satisfy our requirements for controlling nuclear materials and technology as well as regulating exports. Consistent with its obligations and fulfilling its important role under the international non proliferation regime. And this regret, I would like to extend my thanks once again to the Director General and the Deputy Director for Safeguards for their efforts that have enabled the Kingdom to reach the stage. Sir President Aligned with the Kingdom's focus on preparedness to nuclear and radiological emergencies and strengthen the capacity to respond to these emergencies and recognize the energy's pivotal role in this crucial and sensitive area, the Kingdom has decided to host an International Conference on Nuclear Emergencies to be organized by the Agency by the end of 2025 in Riyadh and we are looking forward to the cooperation of all States in ensuring the success of this Conference so that it would significantly contribute to enhancing global efforts seeking to prepare for nuclear and radiological emergencies. It should be mentioned here the Kingdom is participating in strengthening the radiological monitoring and early warning capabilities for nuclear incidents and this international center, the Agency's international center and that is through its capabilities in the global system of radiological monitoring and early warning. The Kingdom is also pleased to offer its capabilities to the Agency and the International Emergency center in other areas, including predicting the environmental impacts of nuclear and biological incidents.

[M148-04] · سمو وزير الطاقة (HRH the Minister of Energy) · التوقيت 03:29:59 · The Kingdom's statement at 68th IAEA General Conference · 2024-09-16

And we are very happy to contribute to this effort and we would like to make it clear to everyone that we have a common interest in this with everyone and that universalizing this benefit is of the utmost importance. Mr. President, as part of developing the Kingdom's efforts in the cooperation with the Agency, the Kingdom deposited on 7th August 2024 its instrument for acceptance of the IAS Agreement and the privileges and immunities, including those concerning nuclear security, safety and safeguards. Also collaborating with the Agency to host a Workshop on the Joint Convention on the Safety of Spent Fuel Management and the Safety of Radioactive Waste Management which will invite States non party to the Convention to enhance global efforts towards the universality of this convention. Mr. President, the Kingdom has benefited from the IA's Integrated Regulatory Review Service mission which completed its task in October 2023. This mission has played an effective program role in assessing the national nuclear regulatory efforts and the overall integration of national nuclear regulatory framework. The Mission also commended the Kingdom's commitment to radiation safety standards and noted the progress in the regulatory, nuclear and radiological framework and the commitment to continuously developing practices according to the highest international standards. Here, once again, I would like to thank the Agency and the Agency's Director General for providing us with these exceptional services that practically and positively affirm the vital and significant role of the agency.

[M148-05] · سمو وزير الطاقة (HRH the Minister of Energy) · التوقيت 03:32:16 · The Kingdom's statement at 68th IAEA General Conference · 2024-09-16

Mr. President, the Kingdom emphasizes once again the importance of the nuclear security and safety system and that the responsibility for maintaining this regime within any country rests entirely with the State in accordance with its national requirements and international obligations. In this context, we are pleased to see the fruitful results of the initiative to establish the Agency's International Nuclear Security Training center in Seibersdorf, to which the Kingdom was the main contributor to its establishment and funding and its tangible impact in enhancing the national capacities of Member States and the global nuclear security regime. Mr. President, very briefly I have to add the following comments. I have to say it very proudly and very openly. In the Kingdom, we have nothing to hide. And this is the driving force behind the Kingdom. We are always ready to rise up to the level of this challenge. We want to be a role model for other countries, a country that produces and exports countries of all types. This is our main priority. I'm fully confident that this will become apparent to all of you. If you get to meet the members of my delegation and all of those working in this sector, you will be aware of how keen we are to be the role model to follow for any State wishing to embark on this journey and produce new energy and clean sources. This is our main reason that. And this is our main driving force, as I've said. And this is why we would like to call on to everyone once again to participate in our journey by the end of 2030, and let it be known to everyone from now until then and beyond, will be always open to all visitors and will be open to everyone's participation and contribution. And those who wish to test the veracity of our words and the intentions of the Kingdom. You only have to try. Come and participate. Be our partner to be sure that our programs only serve the reasons for which they were established. Thank you.