Research Ministry: Kuwait Committed to Enhancing International Cooperation in Peaceful Uses of Nuclear Energy

Dr. Faisal Al-Humaidan, Director General of the Kuwait Institute for Scientific Research, affirmed Kuwait’s commitment to active participation in the work of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and to strengthening international cooperation in the peaceful uses of nuclear energy. This was stated in a speech delivered by Al-Humaidan at the 2026 International Nuclear Energy Ministerial Conference, held in Incheon, Republic of Korea.

Al-Humaidan noted that Kuwait’s participation in the conference coincides with its membership on the IAEA Board of Governors for the period 2026–2028, emphasizing the importance of enhancing international cooperation and exchanging information and expertise in this field. He said that the energy sector is witnessing rapid developments as countries strive to enhance energy security, meet growing demand, reduce emissions, and support sustainable development, adding that each country has its own options based on its needs, resources, and national priorities.

He highlighted the link between energy security and water security in Kuwait, explaining that rising electricity demand and reliance on water desalination, which requires intensive energy consumption, underscore the importance of long-term planning for this sector. He added that Kuwait is monitoring developments in nuclear energy technology, particularly small modular reactors and their potential applications in electricity generation and water desalination. He affirmed that any future assessment of these technologies would be based on national needs, safety and security requirements, nuclear safeguards, economic viability, and sustainability.

Al-Humaidan pointed to Kuwait’s support for the pivotal role of the IAEA through its contributions to the three phases of the agency’s laboratory development program at Seibersdorf, its initiative on peaceful uses, and its nuclear fuel bank. He clarified that the framework of the Fourth Country Programme for Technical Cooperation (2026–2035), signed on September 15, 2025, defines priorities for technical cooperation with the agency and guides efforts in nuclear technology transfer and capacity building to support national development goals.

He noted that Kuwaiti institutions are participating in IAEA-coordinated research projects in the fields of sustainable energy and hybrid energy systems that combine nuclear and renewable energy, thereby contributing to building a scientific foundation for understanding and evaluating future energy options.

For her part, Dr. Fathouh Al-Rumaih, Acting Executive Director of the Energy and Building Research Center at the Institute, said in a statement that most participating countries called for assessing their energy needs and the peaceful uses of nuclear technologies, including in medicine and agriculture, within a vision encompassing the entire value chain, from waste management to safe decommissioning. She added that this vision is based on enhancing transparency and commitment to nuclear safety and security requirements and IAEA safeguards, stressing the importance of adopting a gradual approach to institution-building, developing legislation, oversight, governance, and consolidating a culture of safety and security.

For her part, Dr. Habiba Al-Muneih, Kuwait’s National Contact Point to the IAEA, emphasized the importance of leveraging technical cooperation programs and exchanging expertise and scientific knowledge to develop national competencies and deploy peaceful nuclear technologies to serve vital sectors and support sustainable development.