RIYADH: The Kingdom is working closely with South Korea on developing technology for small, compact, nuclear reactors that will help Saudi engineers acquire knowledge in the field and the Kingdom to become a developer, owner and leader in the use of atomic energy for peaceful purposes.
Working to this end, the Korean Nuclear Energy Research Institute (KNERI) and the King Abdullah City for Atomic and Renewable energy (K.A.CARE) entered a partnership to develop the technology needed to build small compact nuclear reactors and enable the Kingdom to come into the possession of this technology in order to implement it in diversified sustainable energy program.
The first phase of the joint project for compact nuclear reactors began successfully in South Korea, Youngjae Kim, Korean embassy spokesman in Riyadh, said Saturday, adding that this SMART cooperation is one of the projects that was signed in 2015 during the visit to the Kingdom by South Korean President Geun-Hye Park.
Korean Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Pyung-oh Kwon welcomed the success of the first phase of work in nuclear energy and expressed hope in the further progress of the SMART cooperation project with the Kingdom, which intends to become a leader in atomic and renewable energy by exerting efforts to diversify energy sources and, by extension, the economy, a goal set under Saudi Vision 2030.
K.A.CARE had earlier said that it hoped this partnership would enable the Saudization of nuclear knowledge, support value chains and the Kingdom's entry as a developer, owner and exporter of nuclear energy technologies in the future.
It added that the first KNERI-K.A.CARE meeting to review the progress of SMART cooperation was held in the city of Dijon, South Korea. The Korean companies participating in the Smart project took part in the meeting that reviewed the project's timetable and the challenges ahead.
A technical Saudi team is working side by side with KNERI to be able to run the project, getting trained and participating in the preparations of the engineering designs of the compact reactor, said the statement.
The technical output of the contractors were also coordinated during the meeting, to ensure that the project gets completed in time to enable the Korean companies to prepare the engineering designs of the power station expected to be built in the Kingdom for the purpose of producing power and desalinating water.
K.A.CARE specialists participating in the meeting made a summary presentation of Vision 2030 and the National Transformation Program (NTP-2020) in order to familiarize the companies participating in the project with the ambitious vision of the Kingdom.
The Smart reactor project is one of K.A.CARE initiatives to develop atomic and renewable energy, approved in the NTP-2020.
Riyadh, Seoul working on compact reactors for nuclear energy
Riyadh, Seoul working on compact reactors for nuclear energy
Saudi Cabinet welcomes ceasefire between Syrian government and SDF, condemns Gaza ceasefire violations
- Minister of Media Salman Al-Dossari said ministers welcomed cooperation between the Syrian government and the SDF, supported by Saudi Arabia and the US
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Cabinet, chaired by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, on Tuesday welcomed a ceasefire between the Syrian government and the Syrian Democratic Forces, reiterated the Kingdom’s support for resolving regional and international disputes through dialogue, and condemned Israeli violations of the Gaza ceasefire.
The Cabinet said the breaches in the Palestinian territory undermine efforts to stabilize the truce and advance the second phase of the peace plan, stressing the need for a just and lasting settlement that enables Palestinians to establish an independent state.
In a statement carried by the Saudi Press Agency, Minister of Media Salman Al-Dossari said ministers welcomed cooperation between the Syrian government and the SDF, supported by Saudi Arabia and the US, which led to a ceasefire agreement aimed at promoting peace, stability and national unity in Syria.
The Cabinet reviewed outcomes from several major international events hosted by the Kingdom, including the second Ministerial Council meeting of the Green Middle East Initiative, which expanded membership to 35 countries and reaffirmed commitments to plant more than 22 billion trees and rehabilitate 92 million hectares of land, SPA added.
Ministers also praised the International Conference on Building Capabilities in Data and AI in Riyadh, which saw the launch of multiple initiatives and the signing of 27 agreements to strengthen academic partnerships and advance the Kingdom’s national artificial intelligence strategy.
They commended the fifth Future Real Estate Forum, which resulted in 80 agreements and memoranda of understanding, as well as the Saudi Media Forum, highlighting Riyadh’s growing role as a global hub for innovation, digital transformation and content creation.
The Cabinet reviewed progress across government sectors, welcoming the launch of the National Privatization Strategy as a key step toward diversifying the economy, strengthening private sector participation, and improving infrastructure and public services. It also noted new development projects in the industrial cities of Makkah and Jeddah aimed at boosting local manufacturing and economic growth.
Among a series of decisions, the Cabinet approved cooperation agreements and MoUs with Cyprus, Finland, Brazil, Uzbekistan, South Korea and Mexico, alongside partnerships with Harvard University and the League of Arab States.
Ministers also approved Saudi Arabia’s National Policy for the Arabic Language, endorsed the Equestrian Authority’s membership in the International Federation of Thoroughbred Breeders, and adopted Gulf Cooperation Council framework legislation on combating narcotics and responding to hazardous materials incidents.
The Cabinet further approved the state’s final accounts for the previous fiscal year, renewed and appointed members to the General Authority for Real Estate board, and authorized several senior promotions across government departments, including ambassadorial and minister plenipotentiary roles at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
