Riyadh’s Peaceful Nuclear Ambition Tops the Table at the Saudi-US Summit

In the heart of the capital, Riyadh, as the Kingdom welcomes US President Donald Trump on his first official visit during his second term, attention turns to one of the most prominent issues on the table. The Kingdom has been seeking peaceful nuclear energy for years, given the need to diversify energy sources and keep pace with the global shift toward carbon neutrality. The Kingdom, represented by the Ministry of Energy, seeks to enter this sector through peaceful uses, as part of a plan aimed at generating electricity, desalinating water, and developing a scientific and industrial base capable of handling one of the most critical and sensitive sectors.

At a previous meeting, Minister of Energy Abdulaziz bin Salman affirmed the Kingdom’s continued implementation of the National Peaceful Nuclear Energy Project and the construction of the first nuclear power plant to achieve sustainable development within the framework of international commitments. He said: “Given the important role of nuclear energy in social and economic development, the Kingdom is moving toward utilizing nuclear energy and its radioactive applications for peaceful purposes. It continues to implement its national nuclear energy project in all its components, including the project to build the first nuclear power plant in the Kingdom, to contribute to shaping the national energy mix and achieving sustainable national development, in accordance with national requirements and within the framework of international obligations.”

According to US Secretary of Energy Chris Wright, his country is preparing to sign a major agreement with the Kingdom that focuses on localization and technology in the nuclear field. He praised Saudi Vision 2030 and its ability to create a world environment conducive to accommodating nuclear energy projects. He also expressed his anticipation of a promising future for cooperation between the two countries.

Separately, the Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency, Rafael Grossi, confirmed during his recent visit to Riyadh that the Kingdom is ready, in terms of its regulatory and oversight structure, to launch its nuclear program. Grossi visited the national laboratories, the Nuclear Emergency Operations Center, and the platforms linked to international monitoring networks, expressing his admiration for what he described as a “robust model of nuclear oversight.”

The Kingdom also works with the United States on international platforms and initiatives such as the Net Zero Forum, the Methane Pledge, and the UN Climate Conference, enhancing the convergence of environmental and development visions between the two parties.

The nuclear file is not merely an energy project; it reflects a Saudi strategic orientation toward strengthening technological sovereignty, diversifying the economy, and leveraging international partnerships to build a sustainable future. As Trump arrives in Riyadh, the “peaceful nuclear file” will be a key component of the dialogue and a new building block in the transformation path the Kingdom is confidently and steadily undertaking.

President Trump’s visit coincides with the Saudi-US Investment Forum held on Tuesday, which will witness high-level participation from executives, ministers, and businessmen from both sides.

The nuclear file is expected to be raised on the forum’s agenda, along with issues of joint investments, advanced technologies, and supply chains, strengthening the US presence in the Kingdom’s strategic energy projects.