"Research": Cooperation with the "Atomic Energy Authority" is based on trust and the peaceful use of nuclear technology
Dr. Habiba Al-Muneef, the National Liaison Officer with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) at the Kuwait Institute for Scientific Research (KISR), stated that “the cooperation between the State of Kuwait and the Agency represents a long-standing and solid partnership based on reliability and continuity in the peaceful uses of nuclear technology.”
Speaking to KUNA following the conclusion of the Agency’s 70th General Conference, which launched in the Austrian capital, Vienna, last Monday, Al-Muneef said that the continuation of cooperation and the achievements realized in nuclear and isotopic technologies reflect the strength of international efforts to enhance peace, security, and sustainable progress.
She added that bilateral cooperation during the period from September 1, 2025, to August 31, 2026, achieved significant milestones that contributed to strengthening national capacities, transferring modern technologies, and supporting vital developmental sectors. She clarified that the Institute plays a pivotal role in monitoring and directing technical cooperation programs toward national priorities, in coordination with beneficiary entities.
She noted that among the most prominent achievements of the past year was the signing of the National Program Framework for the State of Kuwait for the period 2026–2035. This framework serves as the strategic reference for technical cooperation over the next decade and identifies areas through which nuclear science and technology can be leveraged to support sustainable development plans as a cornerstone for capacity building and technology transfer.
She explained that cooperation with the Technical Cooperation Department for Asia and the Pacific saw the approval of five national projects under the 2026–2027 project cycle. These include treating cancer diseases by improving tumor targeting, studying aquifer layers to identify major pollution sources using stable isotope techniques, improving food safety by identifying chemical and microbiological contaminants in milk, studying the impact of coke agglomeration on the performance of a circulating fluidized bed reactor using nuclear techniques, and establishing a national laboratory for neutron activation analysis. Additionally, two projects for producing mutant animal feeds and treating cancer diseases were extended.
She noted that the current year was distinguished by the commencement of implementing the strategy and the active participation of Kuwaiti personnel in regional and international projects and training programs. She pointed out that the total budget allocated to Kuwait for projects under the Technical Cooperation Program for 2026–2027 amounts to approximately 600,000 euros.
She highlighted the appreciation expressed by the Technical Cooperation Department for the Institute’s role at the regional level and its training partnerships, affirming the Institute’s readiness to provide the necessary resources to implement projects related to the Technical Cooperation Department.
Dr. Al-Muneef noted that Kuwait hosts four regional service and cooperation centers with the Agency in the fields of medicine, marine environment, radiation protection, and a radioactivity measurement laboratory, owing to its expertise and advanced equipment that support the Agency’s research programs.
She mentioned that the Kuwaiti delegation met with the Technical Cooperation Department in the presence of the Deputy Ambassador of the State of Kuwait to Austria, Bashar Al-Duwaishan, and Khalid Al-Dikan from the Kuwait Embassy in Vienna. During the meeting, efforts to facilitate the completion of national projects were commended. The delegation also participated in the ARASIA (Asia and the Pacific Regional Cooperative Agreement for Research, Development and Training Related to Nuclear Science and Technology) meeting, to which Kuwait acceded in 2016.
She stated that Kuwait completed the implementation of eight regional projects under ARASIA in environmental, agricultural, and health fields in December 2025, and launched five new projects, while participating in coordination for the next cycle, during which four project chairs were selected for the upcoming project cycle.
She confirmed that the Comprehensive Nuclear Security Support Plan was reviewed in the presence of relevant authorities, resulting in the preparation of a “Nuclear Risk Matrix” as part of a project to assess risks that the country could face, in December 2025.
She explained that the delegation met with officials from the Nuclear Security and Safety Department to develop the capacities of employees in national institutions, including the General Customs Authority, the Ministry of Interior, the General Directorate of Civil Defense, and the Ministry of Health (Radiation Protection Department). This was achieved by organizing courses for frontline personnel on dealing with radiation incidents and using advanced detection devices.
She noted the continuation of cooperation based on the National Comprehensive Nuclear Security Plan as a mechanism to enhance institutional capacities in monitoring radioactive sources, combating illicit trafficking, and border monitoring.
Dr. Habiba Al-Muneef pointed out that the delegation also discussed ways for future cooperation with the Agency’s Incident and Trafficking Database (ITDB) Department.
