Saudi Arabia: Nuclear non-proliferation

Saudi Arabia, a non-nuclear member of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) since 1962, has committed to purchasing already enriched fuel on the international market (instead of aiming to master the nuclear fuel cycle), and is a partner in a number of international agreements that support the non-proliferation of nuclear weapons. Most recently, in 2009, Saudi Arabia signed a Safeguard Agreement with the IAEA, which begins the process of international collaboration to help the kingdom build a civilian nuclear programme. It has not signed the IAEA’s Additional Protocol, which gives the IAEA additional inspection authority.