Iraq seeks to join the IAEA
The flag of the International Atomic Energy Agency. Photo: Thomas Kronsteiner/Getty Images
Baghdad (IraqiNews.com) – The Iraqi Prime Minister, Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani, confirmed on Monday that Iraq was among the first countries to attempt to build nuclear reactors for peaceful uses, adhere to the IAEA’s treaties, and apply to join the organization.
Al-Sudani’s remarks took place during his meeting with the Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Rafael Mariano Grossi, where he highlighted Iraq’s belief that the development of nuclear energy should lead to prosperity rather than the creation of deadly weapons, according to a statement released by the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO).
The Iraqi Prime Minister stated that his country is eager to return to the peaceful uses of nuclear energy and that it submitted a request to join the Convention on Nuclear Safety (CNS), the Joint Convention on the Safety of Spent Fuel Management, and the Convention on the Safety of Radioactive Waste Management at the end of 2023.
The Prime Minister of Iraq stated that his country wants to work toward peaceful uses of atomic energy and that it anticipates the IAEA’s assistance in approving initiatives pertaining to the advancement of nuclear applications for peaceful uses.
Grossi invited Al-Sudani to attend the Nuclear Energy Summit, which will be held in Brussels on March 21–22, 2024.
The head of the IAEA thanked Iraq for its cooperation and pledged to support Iraq in the organization’s peaceful programs and projects, which include energy, desalination of soil, disease treatment, and other peaceful fields.
Grossi expressed his hope that an Iraqi delegation will pay a visit to the agency’s headquarters in the upcoming weeks to work on creating a roadmap for Iraq’s future development, infrastructure construction, and acquisition of nuclear technology for peaceful uses.