"Research": Cooperation with the IAEA is based on trust and the peaceful use of nuclear technology
Dr. Habiba Al-Muneai, the National Focal Point for the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) at the Kuwait Institute for Scientific Research (KISR), affirmed that “cooperation between the State of Kuwait and the Agency represents a long-standing and solid partnership based on reliability and continuity in the fields of peaceful uses of nuclear technology.”
Speaking to KUNA following the conclusion of the Agency’s 70th General Conference, which opened in Vienna, Austria, last Monday, Al-Muneai stated that the continued cooperation and the achievements realized in nuclear and isotopic technologies reflect the strength of international efforts in promoting peace, security, and sustainable development.
She added that bilateral cooperation during the period from September 1, 2025, to August 31, 2026, achieved significant milestones that contributed to enhancing national capabilities, 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.
Al-Muneai noted that among the most prominent achievements of the past year was the signing of the framework for Kuwait’s National Program for the period 2026–2035, which serves as the strategic reference for technical cooperation over the next decade and identifies the areas in 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 IAEA’s Technical Cooperation Section for Asia and the Pacific witnessed the approval of five national projects under the 2026–2027 documentation cycle. These include treating cancerous diseases through improved tumor targeting, and studying groundwater layers to identify major sources of pollutants using stable isotope techniques.
She clarified that the projects also include enhancing food safety by identifying chemical and microbiological contaminants in milk, and studying the impact of coke agglomeration on the performance of an upflow fluidized bed reactor using nuclear techniques. Additionally, the projects involve establishing a national laboratory for neutron activation analysis, as well as extending two projects related to feed production via mutation breeding and cancer treatment.
Al-Muneai reported that the current year has been marked 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 within the Technical Cooperation Program for 2026–2027 amounts to approximately 600,000 euros.
She highlighted the Technical Cooperation Section’s appreciation of the Institute’s role at the regional level and its training partnerships, affirming the Institute’s readiness to provide the necessary capabilities to implement projects linked to the Technical Cooperation Section.
Al-Muneai noted that the State of Kuwait hosts four regional service and cooperation centers with the Agency in the fields of medicine, marine environment, radiation protection, and radioactivity measurement laboratory, owing to its expertise and advanced equipment that support the Agency’s research programs.
