IAEA chief says Saudi Arabia moving forward with nuclear power program, research reactor
VIENNA — Saudi Arabia is moving forward with its nuclear power program and research reactor with a strong commitment to non-proliferation, International Atomic Energy Agency Director General Rafael Grossi said Monday.Grossi made the remarks after meeting Energy Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman on the sidelines of the IAEA’s 70th General Conference in Vienna.“Saudi Arabia is moving forward with its nuclear power programme and research reactor, with a strong commitment to non-proliferation,” Grossi said in a post on X, adding that the IAEA “stands ready to support Saudi Arabia every step of the way.”Grossi said he welcomed Prince Abdulaziz to the conference and thanked him for the Kingdom’s support for the IAEA’s work, including its Rays of Hope initiative and cancer care programs across the region.His comments came after Prince Abdulaziz told the conference that Saudi Arabia’s peaceful nuclear program is being developed with full transparency and in accordance with international standards and obligations.“Our nuclear program is based on the principles of transparency and adherence to international standards. Saudi Arabia is working with complete transparency and will continue to do so in cooperation with its partners and the International Atomic Energy Agency,” Prince Abdulaziz said.The minister stressed that the Kingdom is not developing its nuclear program in isolation from the international community or conducting activities in secret bunkers or facilities hidden deep inside mountains.Prince Abdulaziz said Saudi Arabia is moving forward with building a comprehensive national energy mix that includes nuclear energy while strengthening the national and regulatory frameworks governing the sector.He said integrating nuclear energy into the Kingdom’s energy mix has become essential as Saudi Arabia seeks to diversify its energy sources while maintaining reliability and sustainability amid rising global demand.The minister also said the National Atomic Energy Project is advancing efforts to explore the Kingdom’s uranium resources and assess opportunities for their economic utilization.He said exploration and geological studies at the Jabal Sayid project in Madinah had identified estimated resources of about 110 million tons of ore containing high concentrations of rare earth minerals, particularly heavy rare earth elements, as well as promising uranium deposits.