Saudi Arabia Hosts Talks on Nuclear Law
As part of Saudi Arabia’s commitment to strengthening its nuclear legal framework, a national workshop on nuclear law was held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, from 17 to 18 February 2025.
Organized by the IAEA in cooperation with the Nuclear and Radiological Regulatory Commission (NRRC), the workshop was attended by over 50 participants from a range of national stakeholders including the Ministry of Justice, the Ministry of Energy, the Saudi Central Bank, the Public Prosecution, the National Security Centre, the Preparatory Committee for the Ministerial Committee for Administrative Organization, the Presidency of State Security and the Bureau of Experts. The participation of these entities enabled in-depth discussions on the legal, regulatory and operational aspects of nuclear law in Saudi Arabia, fostering inter-agency collaboration and shared expertise.
Khalid Aleissa, Chief Executive Officer of the NRRC, said, “This is a useful event enabling the NRRC to bring together and engage with our key national partners, as a further opportunity to discuss and analyze the existing national nuclear legal framework.”
In 2018, the Government of Saudi Arabia announced its national policy for an atomic energy programme for peaceful uses, committing to achieving the highest safety and security standards in nuclear and radiation facilities, activities and practices. The country uses radioactive sources in medicine, industry and research. The NRRC regulates all nuclear and radiological activities and facilities.
IAEA Assistant Director General and Legal Adviser Peri Lynne Johnson said: “The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is party to the relevant international instruments under the IAEA auspices in the areas of safety and security and it is party to the Protocol to Amend the Vienna Convention on Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage. The Law on Nuclear and Radiation Control was enacted in April 2018 together with the Law on Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage. This event will provide an opportunity to discuss these instruments and the existing national nuclear legal framework in light of the elements of comprehensive national legislation governing the safe, secure and peaceful uses of nuclear energy.”
This national workshop built upon the outcomes of a similar event held in 2022, but this year’s event placed stronger emphasis on the implementation of nuclear legislation, reflecting Saudi Arabia’s progress in this field. The workshop was implemented under the IAEA Legislative Assistance Programme within the framework of an interregional technical cooperation project.
https://www.iaea.org/newscenter/news/facilitating-discussions-on-nuclear-law-in-saudi-arabia