Doha, August 06 (QNA) - The State of Qatar and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia signed today a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for cooperation in the fields of nuclear safety and radiation protection. The agreement comes within the framework of the fraternal relations between the two countries and their commitment to strengthening cooperation and exchanging expertise in this area.

The MoU was signed on behalf of the State of Qatar by HE Undersecretary of the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change Engineer Abdulaziz bin Ahmed bin Abdullah Al Mahmoud, and on behalf of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia by CEO of the Nuclear and Radiological Regulatory Commission Dr. Khalid bin Abdulaziz Al Issa.

Following the signing ceremony, HE Minister of Environment and Climate Change Dr. Abdullah bin Abdulaziz bin Turki Al Subaie met with Dr. Khalid bin Abdulaziz Al Issa and his accompanying delegation, where they reviewed aspects of cooperation between the two sides in the fields of nuclear safety and radiation protection and discussed ways to enhance technical cooperation and the exchange of expertise in areas of mutual interest.

Signed between the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change and the Nuclear and Radiological Regulatory Commission of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the MoU aims to regulate and develop cooperation between the two sides in the fields of nuclear safety and radiation protection, in accordance with the regulations and laws in force in both countries.
HE Undersecretary of the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change Engineer Abdulaziz bin Ahmed bin Abdullah Al Mahmoud affirmed that the MoU represents a significant addition to the cooperation between the State of Qatar and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and it embodies the deep-rooted fraternal relations and historical ties that bind the two brotherly nations. He emphasized the keenness of both sides to expand their technical and scientific cooperation, benefit from shared expertise in nuclear safety and radiation protection, and work towards implementing joint programs and projects that serve the interests of both countries and strengthen their bilateral partnership.

He affirmed that the MoU will contribute to enhancing the exchange of information, research, and studies, developing the capabilities of specialists, and supporting coordination in the areas of radiation monitoring, laboratory analysis, and nuclear emergency preparedness and response, in a way that enhances the protection of human health and the environment and ensure the safe use of nuclear technologies for peaceful purposes. He expressed his hope that it will open new horizons for cooperation between relevant institutions in both countries and contribute to consolidating and developing the Qatari-Saudi partnership in environmental and technical fields in the coming phase.

Areas of cooperation include nuclear security and safety, radiation safety, radiation protection and prevention, methods of monitoring nuclear facilities and radiation practices, preparedness and response to cross-border nuclear and radiological emergencies, and providing assistance in the event of such emergencies. Cooperation also encompasses collaboration in the field of radiological laboratories and analyses, the safe transport of radioactive sources, the exchange of information, scientific research, studies, expertise, and documents, and the organization of conferences, seminars, and workshops.
The memorandum includes the exchange of specialists through scientific and technical visits and training programs, the provision of technical assistance, the formation of joint working groups to implement agreed-upon studies and projects, and the establishment of a joint committee to develop and monitor the implementation of cooperation programs.