Bahrain calls for establishing nuclear-weapon-free zone

Vienna, Sept. 28 (BNA): Ambassador Dr. Yusuf Abdulkarim Bucheeri, the Director-General of Legal Affairs and Human Rights at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, has highlighted the kingdom’s efforts to launch technical cooperation projects with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), in accordance with the peaceful use of nuclear technologies, in line with sustainable development goals at the local and global levels. He also commended the IAEA’s major role in developing the regulatory framework for radiation and nuclear security and safety among Member States, as well as preventing the misuse of nuclear resources and technology while implementing the necessary safety measures, and enhancing the Member States’ readiness to respond to nuclear and radiological emergencies. Ambassador Dr. Bucheeri was speaking as he led the kingdom’s delegation to the IAEA’s 67th session of its General Conference, held in Vienna, Austria, from September 25 to 29. While addressing the conference on behalf of the Kingdom of Bahrain, Dr. Bucheeri underlined the importance of exchanging views, transferring knowledge, and expanding the horizons of nuclear applications among Member States and the IAEA regarding the peaceful uses of nuclear science and technology, stressing the need to strengthen the nuclear security and safety system to repel the current threats to the region’s security and safety. The Director-General of Legal Affairs and Human Rights at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs affirmed the kingdom’s full and steadfast support for the initiative to establish a zone free of nuclear weapons and other weapons of mass destruction in the Middle East. He reiterated Bahrain’s call for the abandonment of nuclear weapons as the only way to ensure that they are not used, noting that Bahrain’s constant support for that initiative reflects the priority it attaches to eliminating the dangers of arms proliferation. He also emphasised Bahrain’s interest in carrying on its cooperation with the IAEA and Member States in promoting the peaceful and proper use of nuclear energy in all vital and development fields to ensure the kingdom’s national and regional security.