The governments of the Russian Federation and Saudi Arabia have signed an agreement on cooperation in the peaceful use of nuclear energy.

Rosatom director general, Sergey Kirienko, and Dr. Hashim Abdullah Yamani, president of the King Abdullah City for Atomic and Renewable Energy (KACARE) signed the document on 18 June.

The agreement opens up prospects for Russian-Saudi cooperation in a wide range of areas, including: design, construction, operation and decommissioning of power and research reactors; nuclear fuel cycle services; spent nuclear fuel and radioactive waste management; radioisotopes production; and education and training in the field of nuclear energy.

Rosatom said it envisages the formation of a coordination committee for further discussions on nuclear energy, as well as joint working groups to carry out projects and research, exchange of experts, organisation of seminars and workshops, and the sharing of scientific and technical information.

KACARE said that the Saudi leadership realizes that the peaceful uses of the nuclear energy, protection from radiation and nuclear safety are essential factors for socioeconomic development. It said that nuclear energy cooperation between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and Russia "will further enhance [Saudi] efforts to diversify energy sources through the introduction of integrated energy systems in which nuclear energy will play a vital role."

Russia has also signed a memorandum of understanding with Myanmar for cooperation in peaceful use of nuclear energy.