Saudi Arabia increases cooperation with global nuclear monitor IAEA

Saudi Arabia has taken a significant step towards greater transparency in its nuclear programme, as noted by Rafael Grossi, Director-General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).

In a social media post on August 7, Grossi revealed that Saudi Arabia had officially deposited its Instrument of Acceptance for the Agreement on the Privileges and Immunities of the IAEA, which provides protection to the agency’s staff as they carry out their duties.

This move indicates Saudi Arabia’s increased willingness to accept international oversight as its nuclear activities expand.

As nuclear activities are poised to grow in Saudi Arabia, facilitating the work of IAEA staff as they carry out duties is key. Today, 🇸🇦 deposited Instrument of Acceptance for the Agreement on the Privileges and Immunities of the @IAEAorg, providing protection to our staff. pic.twitter.com/8VHQmKypud

— Rafael MarianoGrossi (@rafaelmgrossi) August 7, 2024

Historically, Saudi Arabia has sought to develop a substantial civilian nuclear power sector, including access to uranium enrichment and reprocessing technology.

However, the country’s facilities have so far been inspected under a Small Quantities Protocol (SQP) agreement with the IAEA, which offers limited international oversight. Grossi has previously criticised SQPs as a weak point in the global non-proliferation regime, which the IAEA is tasked with overseeing.

With a small research reactor in Riyadh nearing completion, there is growing recognition of the need for more stringent safeguards. Simon Henderson, a senior fellow at The Washington Institute, notes that the next step for Saudi Arabia will be the implementation of a Comprehensive Safeguards Agreement (CSA), which would require the kingdom to accept inspections of its nuclear facilities. “The next step will be implementation of the kingdom’s CSA, which requires Riyadh to accept inspections of its facilities. At the annual IAEA General Conference in September 2023, Saudi energy minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman stated that the government would move toward a CSA but did not mention if it would agree to the Additional Protocol, which allows for more intrusive inspections without advance warning.”

During the IAEA General Conference in September 2023, Saudi Energy Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman indicated the government’s intention to move towards a CSA, though he did not specify whether the kingdom would agree to the Additional Protocol, which allows for more intrusive inspections without prior notice.

In addition to this, Saudi Arabia participated in a meeting of the IAEA Board of Governors at the United Nations, as reported by the Saudi Press Agency (SPA).

The Saudi delegation, led by Dr Abdullah Tawlah, the kingdom’s Governor to the IAEA, discussed key international issues, including the Iranian nuclear programme and nuclear security concerns in Ukraine.

Saudi Arabia has been a member of the 35-member Board of Governors, one of the IAEA’s most influential policy-making bodies, since September 2022.

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