Global and regional leaders in nuclear security are meeting in Amman this week, seeking deeper collaboration amid rising energy demands, AI integration, and geopolitical risks. The stakes are high, and the message is clear: nuclear security can’t be siloed.
Prince Hassan and Ernest Moniz Kick Off Groundbreaking Talks
The gathering began with a call for unity, not division.
His Royal Highness Prince Hassan bin Talal set the tone in his opening address by urging a shift from confrontation to cooperation. He didn’t mince words, calling nuclear security “the most important issue of our time.”
Prince Hassan emphasized trust. Real trust. The kind that goes beyond empty agreements and actually lays foundations for lasting peace and stability.
Alongside him stood Ernest J. Moniz, former U.S. Secretary of Energy and now Co-Chair and CEO of the Nuclear Threat Initiative. Moniz made it personal. “In this new era of rapidly evolving risks,” he said, “gatherings like this are critical.”
What’s at Stake: Borderless Risks in a Volatile Region
The Middle East and North Africa region isn’t just talking about nuclear energy. It’s building reactors, exploring small modular technologies, and dealing with risks that aren’t confined to borders.
IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi put it bluntly: “Nuclear security knows no borders.”
One small incident in one country could have sweeping effects across a region already dealing with complex tensions. And when you add artificial intelligence into the mix — from facility automation to cyber-attack defense — the risks multiply.
This is where cooperation becomes not just helpful, but absolutely essential.
Jordan Steps Up as Regional Convener
Jordan’s role as host wasn’t just symbolic.
The Jordan Atomic Energy Commission is leading the charge with the Nuclear Threat Initiative to host this three-day workshop. That’s no small feat. It reflects Jordan’s ongoing effort to shape a stable, secure future for the region’s nuclear ambitions.
Here’s what’s happening at the workshop:
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Top-level talks between over a dozen MENA nations
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Strategy sessions on institutional frameworks and cross-border legal tools
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Expert discussions on integrating AI into nuclear security
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Dialogues about public trust, governance, and nuclear infrastructure planning
One local official at the workshop shared off-the-record: “This is the first time we’re talking seriously about regional safeguards with a real sense of urgency.”
Practical Collaboration Over Performative Diplomacy
What makes this workshop different? It’s not just about lofty speeches or diplomatic handshakes. The event’s focus is hands-on — building frameworks, exchanging real data, and working on joint policy roadmaps.
Moniz pushed that point hard. “Regional leadership matters,” he said. “These countries are making decisions now that will shape energy and security for decades.”
And that includes:
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Ensuring that national nuclear programs have reliable and transparent safety measures
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Building rapid-response frameworks for potential security breaches
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Training technical experts in AI and digital infrastructure vulnerabilities
Countries attending the conference include Egypt, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Turkey, Algeria, and more — each with unique nuclear development goals but facing shared concerns.
Why This Moment Matters
This isn’t just another conference.
It’s happening at a time when interest in nuclear energy is ticking up across the region. With energy transition goals tightening and fossil fuel limits looming, nuclear is back on the table — not just for power generation but for research, medicine, and even desalination.
And that means:
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Higher nuclear material traffic across borders
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More facilities that need monitoring
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Greater cyber risk exposure through automation and AI
Eyes on the Future, Feet on the Ground
The message coming out of Amman is hopeful — but not naive.
There’s a deep awareness that new technologies bring new threats. But there’s also a shared understanding that no single country can handle those threats alone.
By bringing everyone to the table, from ministers to engineers, from legal minds to AI experts, this workshop is attempting something rare: coordination that actually works.
Whether or not this becomes a lasting model for other regions — like South Asia or Sub-Saharan Africa — remains to be seen. But for now, Amman is hosting more than just dialogue. It’s hosting possibility.
