VIENNA — The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has received a certificate of appreciation and gratitude from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) for having effectively participated in the Comprehensive Capacity Building Initiative (Compass), a recent and first-of-its-kind IAEA model initiative.

The certificate of merit was handed over by IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi to Jalawi Bin Nasser Al-Gahtani, Saudi Nuclear and Respiratory Control Authority representative, during a reception at the Saudi permanent delegation headquarters in Vienna.

Compass was initiated in 2020 to help member countries strengthen the effectiveness of their national authorities responsible for safeguarding implementation and their respective system of accounting for and control of nuclear material (SSAC).

Saudi Arabia was among the first six countries, out of 176 member states, who initiated Compass with the aim of reaching greater understanding of the safeguards agreement.

The Saudi Nuclear and Respiratory Control Authority is an independent agency directly related to the prime minister; its aim is to implement the government's policies to protect the country against the proliferation of nuclear and radiated emissions. — SPA