Kuwait Reaffirms Commitment to Peaceful Nuclear Energy at China-Gulf Forum
— In a bold and clear message to the international community, Kuwait reaffirmed that all countries have the full right to develop and use nuclear energy for peaceful purposes. This declaration was made during the First China-Gulf Forum on the Peaceful Uses of Nuclear Technologies, hosted in Chengdu, China, with the presence of senior officials, scientists, and energy experts from across the Gulf and China.
Kuwait’s representative at the forum, Counselor Abdulaziz Al-Dakhil from the Kuwaiti Embassy in Beijing, stressed that Kuwait supports peaceful nuclear development in line with international regulations. His remarks directly referenced the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) — a global agreement that recognizes the right of countries to use nuclear technology for peaceful development while preventing the spread of nuclear weapons.
Kuwait’s Vision: Peaceful Nuclear Energy for Progress
Counselor Al-Dakhil outlined Kuwait’s active cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), a UN body that promotes safe and secure nuclear science and technology. He revealed that Kuwait has submitted four national projects to the IAEA that are already underway, focusing on:
- Genetically modified crops to improve food security
- Groundwater management for long-term environmental sustainability
- Radiation technologies for cancer treatment, supporting the healthcare sector
- Measures to combat radioactive and environmental pollution
These projects highlight how nuclear technology can be used far beyond energy generation. Kuwait is looking at real-world solutions where peaceful nuclear applications can improve people’s health, food production, and environmental protection.
Exploring Future Energy Needs: Small Modular Reactors (SMRs)
Al-Dakhil also announced that Kuwait is working closely with the IAEA to study Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) — a new type of nuclear power technology that is more compact, cost-effective, and considered safer than traditional large-scale plants.
These reactors could play a major role in Kuwait’s future energy strategy, especially as the nation looks for sustainable options to meet growing electricity demands and reduce dependence on fossil fuels. SMRs also open the door to integrating nuclear power in remote or smaller regions where large nuclear plants would be impractical.
Additionally, the Kuwait Institute for Scientific Research (KISR) is conducting several studies with IAEA support. Their goal? To explore how nuclear energy could be used not just for power generation, but also for:
- Desalinating water — a major need in Kuwait’s arid climate
- Industrial applications — increasing efficiency in manufacturing and oil extraction
- Research and innovation — contributing to knowledge and training for the next generation of scientists and engineers
A Step Toward Sustainable Development
While Kuwait has not yet launched a nuclear energy program for electricity production, these studies and initiatives show the country is preparing for a future where sustainable and diversified energy will be essential. The Gulf region, known for its oil wealth, is now thinking ahead to a post-oil future, and peaceful nuclear energy could play a crucial role.
Kuwait’s interest in nuclear technology is not about building weapons or entering a nuclear arms race. Instead, it is about using science and international cooperation to solve pressing human challenges — from energy shortages to environmental threats to health care improvements.
Strong Support for International Collaboration
Kuwait’s participation in the China-Gulf Forum also sends a signal about the importance of regional and international partnerships. Events like this help build trust and open up new opportunities for knowledge sharing, innovation, and joint research among Gulf countries and global powers like China.
Kuwait expressed appreciation for the role of China in supporting the peaceful uses of nuclear technologies and emphasized the need for more technical cooperation, training programs, and infrastructure investment in the region.
Al-Dakhil reaffirmed that Kuwait stands firmly behind the principles of the NPT, which ensures the right of all countries to develop nuclear energy as long as it is used peacefully and under strict international oversight.
Looking Ahead: A Balanced, Peaceful Nuclear Future
Kuwait’s message at the forum is clear: the peaceful use of nuclear energy is not only a right under international law but also a responsibility to future generations.
As global energy demands increase and climate concerns grow, many countries — including those in the Gulf — are seeking clean, efficient, and reliable energy solutions. Nuclear energy, when managed safely and responsibly, can offer that path.
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