N-word No Longer: The Middle East, South-east Asia, and Nuclear Power

After years of opposition, nuclear power is enjoying renewed appeal around the world. A key reason for this is an urgency to mitigate the impact of climate change by pursuing clean energy sources. Geopolitical events, such as the Russia-Ukraine war, have likewise intensified the drive for energy security. In South-east Asia, Singapore is exploring nuclear power, while the Philippines, Indonesia, and Vietnam have announced plans to build plants. This marks a turnaround from years of government and public opposition. Similarly, in the Middle East, Saudi Arabia is actively studying the issue, and is seeking a deal on civilian nuclear programme with the US, while the UAE already as an operational plant. This webinar will discuss what is behind the sudden change in perceptions towards nuclear energy, the paradox of Gulf countries with vast oil reserves turning to an alternative energy source, and the international controls needed to prevent civilian nuclear programmes from morphing into military ones.