Saudi Gazette report
VIENNA — Saudi Minister of Energy Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi attended the ceremony to raise Saudi Arabia’s flag at the Agency’s headquarters in Vienna, and thus becoming among the countries that are contributing to the Agency’s initiative to modernize its Seibersdorf laboratories (ReNuAL2).
Speaking on the occasion, Prince Abdulaziz said that the Kingdom appreciates the main and important role of the IAEA in enhancing safety standards as these donations develop their capabilities in a way that enhances its vital role in harnessing the atom for peace.
“These contributions are aimed to maximize the use of nuclear technologies and provide resources and services to IAEA member states to ensure the safe use of nuclear technology,” Prince Abdulaziz added.
Recently, Saudi Arabia announced its donation of $2.5 million towards the initiative of the IAEA to modernize its Seibersdorf laboratories (ReNuAL2), which will contribute to strengthening the nuclear and radiological regulatory capabilities to maximize the uses of nuclear techniques and provide resources and services to IAEA member states to ensure the safe use of nuclear technology.
Saudi Arabia has also announced its donation of $1 million to support the IAEA’s initiative for Zoonotic Diseases Integrated Action (ZODIAC), launched by the IAEA to help prevent the outbreaks of infectious zoonotic diseases with the use of nuclear techniques and strengthen the preparedness and response, and early detection of their causes.
These donations represent an extension of Saudi Arabia’s continuous support for the efforts of the IAEA and its initiatives aimed at developing its capabilities in a way that enhances its vital role in harnessing the atom for peace and confirms the Kingdom’s positive stance towards matters related to using nuclear energy and technology and their peaceful and safe development.