Morocco Reiterates Support for IAEA's Role in Promoting Peaceful Use of Nuclear Technology in Africa

05 June 2023 Printable Version

Vienna - Morocco reiterated its commitment to supporting the IAEA's central role in promoting the peaceful use of nuclear technology, particularly in Africa, Morocco's ambassador and permanent representative in Vienna, Azzeddine Farhane, said on Monday.

"To this end, my country shares its expertise in the application of nuclear techniques in the fields of health, water, environment and agriculture among others, with the African Member States, through the organization of training courses, workshops, advisory mission, as well as scientific visits," he said in his address to the Board of Governors of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), which runs from June 5 to 9.

Speaking under the Agenda Item 2, Farhane reiterated the Kingdom's determination to "continue upholding its emergency response capabilities."

To this end, the Kingdom hosted an IAEA Emergency Preparedness Review (EPREV) Mission on a voluntary basis in November 2022, which welcomed Morocco's solid foundation for nuclear and radiological emergency preparedness arrangements, he recalled.

The diplomat also referred to the important visit of IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi to Morocco in June 2022, which provided an opportunity to establish a framework for cooperation in the fight against cancer and zoonotic diseases, and to further strengthen the partnership between the Agency and Morocco, particularly in the field of triangular capacity building in Africa.

He added that, at regional level, the Centre national de l'énergie, des sciences et des techniques nucléaires (CNESTEN) and the African Atomic Energy Commission (CAEN) signed a memorandum of understanding last month to strengthen their cooperation in the field of civil applications of nuclear energy and nuclear safety and security.

This protocol will provide a solid basis for Morocco to share its experience in the peaceful use of nuclear energy with African countries, in order to stimulate and promote sustainable industrial and economic development in Africa, the diplomat noted.

"Morocco has developed, thanks to IAEA support, recognized expertise in the peaceful use of nuclear applications and technologies in many fields, and remains fully committed to sharing its experience with its partners, in particular interested IAEA African member states", he concluded.