​​​​​​​​Multilateral International Instruments

The Kingdom has joined a number of multilateral treaties and agreements that serve its interests in areas related to nuclear regulatory affairs. The NRRC impl​​ements the Kingdom's internati​onal commitments under these relevant treaties and agreements.

First - Multilateral Treaties and Agreements:

The Kingdom has joined several multilateral treaties and agreements in the nuclear and radiological regulatory fields, some under the auspices of the United Nations General Assembly and most under the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), as follows:

a. Treaties and Agreements under the United Nations:

1. Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) The Kingdom ratified the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons by Royal Decree No. (M/52) dated 27/11/1408H (12/07/1988). The treaty aims to prevent the spread of nuclear weapons, promote cooperation in the peaceful uses of nuclear energy, achieve nuclear disarmament, and facilitate the optimal exchange of scientific information for developing peaceful applications of atomic energy. A review conference is held every five years to assess the treaty's progress. The NRRC participates as part of the Kingdom's delegation to these review conferences and preparatory committee meetings. The Kingdom emphasizes the treaty's universality and the importance of non-member states joining it, as well as the implementation of the Middle East resolution as an integral part of the decisions that led to the treaty's indefinite extension. The Middle East resolution, adopted on May 11, 1995, during the Review and Extension Conference of the NPT, noted the existence of unsafeguarded nuclear facilities in the Middle East and called for all Middle Eastern countries that have not yet joined the NPT to do so promptly and to place all their nuclear facilities under IAEA comprehensive safeguards, in accordance with Article III of the treaty.
2. International Convention for the Suppression of Acts of Nuclear Terrorism (ICSANT​) The Kingdom ratified the International Convention for the Suppression of Acts of Nuclear Terrorism by Royal Decree No. (M/89) dated 3/11/1428H (13/11/2007). The convention aims to criminalize acts of nuclear terrorism and is part of a series of international agreements to combat terrorism, enhancing cooperation to prevent, investigate, and punish offenses specified in the convention.

b. Treaties and Agreements under the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA):

 1. Comprehensive Safeguards Agreement (CSA) and Small Quantities Protocol (SQP) The Kingdom is a party to the Comprehensive Safeguards Agreement and the Small Quantities Protocol, which aim to apply safeguards related to the NPT. The Kingdom ratified this agreement by Royal Decree No. (M/51) dated 11/8/1429H (14/08/2008). The agreement aims to verify that nuclear materials intended for peaceful purposes are not diverted to nuclear weapons or other explosive devices.

 2. Convention on the Physical Protection of Nuclear Material (CPPNM) The Kingdom ratified the Convention on the Physical Protection of Nuclear Material by Royal Decree No. (M/40) dated 12/07/1429H (16/07/2008). This convention aims to ensure the effective physical protection of nuclear material used for peaceful purposes, combat crimes related to such materials internationally, and facilitate cooperation among state parties to achieve these goals.

 3. Amendment to the Convention on the Physical Protection of Nuclear Material (CPPNM/A) The Kingdom ratified the Amendment to the Convention on the Physical Protection of Nuclear Material by Royal Decree No. (M/71) dated 24/12/1431H (01/12/2010). The amendment expands the convention's scope to include nuclear facilities used for peaceful purposes.

 4. Convention on Early Notification of a Nuclear Accident The Kingdom ratified the Convention on Early Notification of a Nuclear Accident by Royal Decree No. (M/51) dated 16/10/1409H (22/05/1989). The convention establishes a system for notifying other states of nuclear accidents that result or may result in transboundary release of radioactive material. In the event of a nuclear accident, the Kingdom activates the "National Plan for Radiological and Nuclear Emergency Response," as outlined in Articles 17(2) and 17(3) of the Law of Nuclear and Radiological Control

5. Convention on Assistance in the Case of a Nuclear Accident or Radiological Emergency (ASSIST) The Kingdom ratified the Convention on Assistance in the Case of a Nuclear Accident or Radiological Emergency by Royal Decree No. (M/51) dated 16/10/1409H (22/05/1989). This convention establishes frameworks for international cooperation to facilitate assistance and support in the event of nuclear accidents or radiological emergencies.

 6. Joint Convention on the Safety of Spent Fuel Management and on the Safety of Radioactive Waste Management (RADW) The Kingdom ratified the Joint Convention on the Safety of Spent Fuel Management and on the Safety of Radioactive Waste Management by Royal Decree No. (M/64) dated 1/11/1431H (09/10/2010). The convention aims to achieve high safety standards globally for managing spent fuel and radioactive waste, ensuring effective defenses at all stages to prevent accidents with radiological consequences and mitigate their impact should they occur.

 7. Convention on Nuclear Safety (CNS) The Kingdom ratified the Convention on Nuclear Safety by Royal Decree No. (M/8) dated 18/2/1431H (03/02/2010). The convention aims to achieve and maintain high levels of nuclear safety worldwide through national measures and international cooperation, including, where appropriate, cooperation on safety matters. It also aims to establish and maintain effective defenses against potential radiological hazards in nuclear installations to protect people, society, and the environment. The NRRC fulfilled the Kingdom's obligations by preparing the national nuclear safety report, detailing efforts to meet legislative and regulatory framework commitments and safety obligations for nuclear facilities, including site, design, construction, operation, financial and human resources, safety and quality assessment, and emergency preparedness. This report was submitted to the IAEA in 2019.

 8. Vienna Convention on Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage and Protocol to Amend the Vienna Convention on Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage (VC & PVC) The Kingdom ratified the Vienna Convention on Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage and its amendment protocol by Royal Decree No. (M/69) dated 5/12/1431H (12/11/2010). The convention aims to harmonize national laws of the parties to provide financial protection against damage from certain peaceful uses of nuclear energy. Accordingly, the Kingdom issued the Law on Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage, which governs compensation for nuclear damage resulting from nuclear incidents within the Kingdom and during transport operations for which the operator is responsible, in line with relevant international agreements.

​Second - Codes of Conduct:
Codes of conduct serve as guidance tools for member states, not legally binding internationally but politically endorsed by countries. The Kingdom has endorsed the following codes:

Code of Conduct on the Safety and Security of Radioactive Sources The Kingdom endorsed the Code of Conduct on the Safety and Security of Radioactive Sources issued by the IAEA Board of Governors. The code aims to assist national authorities in ensuring that radioactive sources are used safely and securely by guiding member states in developing and aligning policies, laws, and regulations related to the safety and security of radioactive sources.
Code of Conduct on the Safety of Research Reactors The Kingdom endorsed the Code of Conduct on the Safety of Research Reactors issued by the IAEA Board of Governors. This code enhances international nuclear safety arrangements for civilian research reactors by providing best practices and guidance for regulatory bodies in member states.

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​Third - United Nations Security Council Resolutions:
These resolutions, issued under Paragraph (42) of Chapter VII of the United Nations Charter, are internationally binding:

1. UN Security Council Resolution 1373 (2001) on Threats to International Peace and Security Caused by Terrorist Acts.
   UN Security Council Resolution 1373 (2001) addresses threats to international peace and security caused by terrorist acts. It mandates all states to prevent and halt the financing of terrorist acts and to criminalize their nationals' intentional provision or collection of funds, by any means, directly or indirectly, within their territories to be used for terrorist acts. The resolution requires states to freeze without delay the funds and other financial assets or economic resources of persons who commit, attempt to commit, participate in, or facilitate terrorist acts. States are also required to refrain from providing any form of support, explicit or implicit, to entities or persons involved in terrorist acts and to take the necessary steps to prevent the commission of terrorist acts.
   This requirement is stipulated in Chapter Eleven (Violations and Penalties) of the Regulation on the Control of Nuclear and Radiological Uses and is also addressed in Articles (36, 37, 38, and 39) of the Counter-Terrorism and Financing Law.
2. UN Security Council Resolution 1540 (2004) on Non-Proliferation of Weapons of Mass Destruction
   UN Security Council Resolution 1540 (2004) mandates that all states refrain from providing any form of support to non-state actors attempting to develop, acquire, manufacture, possess, transport, transfer, or use nuclear, chemical, or biological weapons and their delivery systems, especially for terrorist purposes. The resolution calls for all states to adopt and enforce effective laws and take appropriate measures to prevent the proliferation of these weapons and their delivery systems to non-state actors, particularly for terrorist purposes.
   As the NRRC is a primary entity in fulfilling the Kingdom's obligations in this regard, it has collaborated with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to prepare the Kingdom's compliance matrix, ensuring the Kingdom meets its commitments under this Security Council resolution.
3. UN Security Council Resolution 1977 (2011) on Non-Proliferation of Weapons of Mass Destruction
   Resolution 1977 (2011) extends the mandate of Resolution 1540, emphasizing the prevention of the proliferation of nuclear, chemical, and biological weapons and their delivery systems as a threat to international peace and security. It mandates states to adopt a range of measures and legislation to prevent the spread of these weapons and delivery systems.
4. UN Security Council Resolution 2397 (2017) on Sanctions Against North Korea
   Resolution 2397 (2017) imposes sanctions on North Korea, including a ban on the supply, sale, or transfer of crude oil and refined petroleum products to North Korea, directly or indirectly. It also prohibits the import, export, and transfer of a range of North Korean products, such as food, agricultural products, machinery, electrical equipment, and minerals. The sanctions aim to pressure North Korea to cease its non-peaceful nuclear program and comply with the NPT. The NRRC monitors developments related to Security Council resolutions on North Korea to ensure compliance with the NPT and IAEA safeguards.

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