Kuwait unanimously elected to IAEA Board of Governors for 2026-2028
. . . Board membership highlights commitment to peaceful nuclear energy
Kuwait has been unanimously endorsed by member states of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to serve on the Agency’s Board of Governors for the 2026-2028 term, representing the Middle East and South Asia Group. The endorsement was made during the IAEA’s 70th General Conference, which concluded in Vienna on Friday.
In a statement, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed Kuwait’s appreciation to IAEA member states for the unanimous endorsement, describing it as a reflection of the confidence Kuwait enjoys and its role in supporting international efforts to strengthen cooperation in the peaceful uses of atomic energy.
The ministry said Kuwait’s membership of the Board of Governors extends its established approach of supporting the nuclear non-proliferation regime, strengthening the Agency’s safeguards system and upholding high standards of nuclear safety and security.
It added that Kuwait’s engagement contributes to international efforts to preserve peace and security and promote cooperation in the peaceful uses of nuclear energy. Kuwait also reaffirmed its commitment to multilateral action and close cooperation with the IAEA and its member states to advance common objectives and support international efforts related to peace, security and the peaceful use of atomic energy.
Long-standing cooperation with IAEA
Dr. Habiba Al-Manea, Kuwait’s national liaison officer with the IAEA at the Kuwait Institute for Scientific Research, said cooperation between Kuwait and the Agency represents a long-standing partnership based on reliability and continuity in the peaceful uses of nuclear technology.
Speaking to KUNA following the conclusion of the IAEA’s 70th General Conference, Al-Manea said continued cooperation and achievements in nuclear and isotopic technologies reflect international efforts to promote peace, security and sustainable development.
She said bilateral cooperation from September 1, 2025, to August 31, 2026, resulted in important achievements that strengthened national capabilities, facilitated the transfer of modern technologies and supported vital development sectors. The Kuwait Institute for Scientific Research plays a key role in monitoring technical cooperation programs and directing them toward national priorities in coordination with beneficiary entities, she said.
Five national projects adopted
Al-Manea said cooperation with the IAEA Department of Technical Cooperation for Asia and the Pacific resulted in the adoption of five national projects under the 2026-2027 program cycle.
The projects include work in the treatment of cancerous diseases by improving tumor targeting, as well as the study of groundwater layers to identify major sources of pollution using stable isotope techniques.
Other projects focus on improving food safety by identifying chemical and microbiological contaminants in milk and establishing a national laboratory for neutron activation analysis.
