The Nuclear Energy Agency (NEA) participated in the second Saudi International Conference on Nuclear Power Engineering (SCOPE-2), held from 2–6 November 2025 in Dhahran, Saudi Arabia, to explore the future of nuclear energy in Saudi Arabia and beyond.
Building on the inaugural event in 2023, which the NEA had also attended, the event brought together leading researchers, industry professionals and policymakers from around the world. Dr Ki Young Choi, Chair of the NEA Committee on the Safety of Nuclear Installations (CSNI), took part in the opening ceremony, representing the Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute (KAERI).
Ms Véronique Rouyer, Head of the NEA Division of Nuclear Safety Technology and Regulation, delivered the keynote address to the participants gathered at the King Fahd University of Petroleum & Minerals (KFUPM). In her presentation, entitled “Safe nuclear energy for the future: Bridging fundamentals and innovation,” Ms Rouyer emphasised the urgent need for robust research and innovation to ensure the safe deployment of new nuclear technologies, especially as the world seeks sustainable solutions to climate change and energy security.
“The future of nuclear energy depends on our ability to bridge fundamentals and innovation, combining rigorous safety principles with the courage to embrace new technologies,” she said.
Ms Rouyer also participated in a high-level panel on leadership for innovation, led by Prof. Leon Cizelj, Director of the Jožef Stefan Institute in Ljubljana, Slovenia, and featuring experts from academia, industry and government. The panel explored the interaction between research, innovation and the development of human resources in the nuclear sector.
In an effort to inspire and empower young women in nuclear engineering, Dr Martina Adorni, Nuclear Safety Specialist at the NEA, organised and moderated a panel session that highlighted success stories of women in the sector. The interactive session brought together four women leaders: Ms Rouyer of the NEA, Prof. Rosa Lo Frano of the University of Pisa, Dr Sofia Carnevali of France’s CEA (French Alternative Energies and Atomic Energy Commission) and Prof. April Novak of the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. The panelists shared their personal journeys, professional achievements, and the challenges they overcame in the nuclear field. The session sought to offer practical advice and to inspire female students considering careers in nuclear science and technology. It highlighted the value of diversity in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) and the key role women play in shaping the future of nuclear engineering.
The NEA’s participation in SCOPE-2 reflected its ongoing efforts to advance nuclear safety, support innovation, and encourage the development of new talent in the nuclear sector.