A high-level delegation from the City participated in the General Conference of the IAEA held in Vienna during the period 16-20 September 2013 G corresponding to 10-14 Dul Qa’da 1434 H. In the Conference, His Excellency Dr. Yamani, head of the delegation, delivered a speech. His Excellency opened his speech by congratulating the South African delegation for his selection as the chairman of the General conference. He also congratulated members of the Conference office and the committee of the whole. His Excellency also stated that the Saudi delegation was determined to contribute to bringing the conference to success. He expressed his appreciation for the efforts exerted by the Director-General of the IAEA, Mr. Yukiya Amano. His Excellency also welcomed the accession Brunei to the membership of the IAEA.

His Excellency the Head of the Saudi Delegation, Dr. Yamani also stated that the Kingdom was considering the atomic energy as a valuable source for many peaceful applications benefits of which will engulf the whole human society. His Excellency pointed out that one of the objectives of the Conference was to consider the ways and means to upgrade and develop the peaceful uses and to seek a better application for safety measures, compliance with transparency and application of the IAEA’s safeguards in a manner that would cover all nuclear installations and materials. Out of this springboard, the Kingdom has made a great strides in its endeavor to complete and meet its national program for nuclear energy, pursuant to the time frame specifically drawn up to attain this objective. His Excellency added that the launching pad has been set to establish the infrastructure, develop human resources, finalize the legal and economic structure to maximization of investment, and creation of the structures required to attain these objectives, have been commenced. He pinpointed that the City adopts the principles of transparency and regional and international cooperation.

Furthermore, His Excellency Dr. Yamani announced that KACARE is earnestly working at launching the second phase of the Study concerned with the potential sites to erect nuclear energy stations throughout the Kingdom. He stressed, furthermore, that the City was very keen to adopt the highest possible international criteria and standards. He stated that the City commenced the implementation of the outputs of the self-assessment of the nuclear infrastructure in the Kingdom, in strict compliance with the standards and stages approved the IAEA. He said that the City was through with the study of the recommendations made by the nuclear regulatory and control bodies in the Kingdom, adding that the jurisdiction thereof has been set up and the implementation mechanisms and compliance therewith have been established.

His Excellency the President explained that the City endeavors to support the potentials and capabilities of the national industrial sector and to, furthermore, develop and upgrade the same with a view to qualify national industry so as to be able and equipped to develop a greater percentage of the local element of nuclear stations, in particular construction works and infrastructure. At the level of capacity building of national human resources in the domain of nuclear technology, the development of a practical program for habilitation and training is in progress. By the same token, the City is erecting a National Center for Nuclear Research.

His Excellency Dr. Yamani highlighted the importance of convening the Fukushima Ministerial Conference on Nuclear Safety in December 2012 G as it provided the participating delegations with the opportunity to visit the site of the Site where they reviewed the measures set for rehabilitation. This reaffirmed the determination to endeavor to develop and upgrade the nuclear safety which will consequently help prevent the reoccurrence of such incidents in the future.