In an address to the 68th General Conference of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Benali stressed that the Kingdom remains “fully committed” to continuing to share, bilaterally or in cooperation with the IAEA, its experience with partners in promoting the use of nuclear applications in science and technology for peaceful purposes.

While welcoming the IAEA's initiatives in fields of the environment, agriculture and health, Benali reiterated Morocco's constant support for the Agency's central role, including the provision of technical assistance to member states.

Morocco's training infrastructure for peaceful nuclear applications received several distinctions from the IAEA last year, the minister highlighted.

In this respect, she noted that the National Centre for Energy, Nuclear Science and Technology (CNESTEN) was awarded Africa's first distinction as an International Center for Research Reactors (ICERR), and that the National Institute of Oncology (INO) had been designated an anchor center under the “Rays of Hope” initiative.

For its part, the National Centre for Scientific and Technical Research (CNRST) was designated last September as a Collaborating Center in fields of molecular biology and genomics, while the Moroccan Agency for Nuclear and Radiological Safety and Security (AMSSNuR) created in collaboration with the IAEA “the African School for Radiological Safety Regulators”, she continued.

These institutions have already begun offering training courses, including to numerous African experts, the minister pointed out, adding that Morocco has shared their technical expertise with over 40 African member states.

They are committed to supporting technical cooperation and capacity building in various fields, such as radiotherapy, water, nutrition and radiology, she detailed.

In addition to training in collaboration with the IAEA and member states, Morocco continues to help numerous partners to analyze samples in the laboratory using nuclear techniques, said Benali.

The Moroccan official also referred to the issue of water as a challenge that is “crucial to the survival of mankind”, as highlighted in HM the King's Throne Day speech last July.

Benali stressed the need to implement sound policies that guarantee equitable access to water resources, by promoting international cooperation in sustainable water management.

“Effective and inclusive” multilateral actions, which take into account the national circumstances of developing countries, are urgently needed, she underlined, noting that vulnerable communities, disproportionately affected, "should be at the center of our considerations".

As part of IAEA's projects in support of water policy, Benali noted that Morocco is this year presenting a resolution submitted by the G77 for adoption at the General Conference on the “Plan for the economical production of drinking water using small and medium-sized nuclear reactors”.

This resolution underlines the need for continued strengthening of international cooperation in the planning and implementation of nuclear desalination programs, she concluded.

In addition to Benali, the Moroccan delegation to the 68th IAEA General Conference includes Ambassador Azzeddine Farhane, Permanent Representative of Morocco to the International Organizations in Vienna, Director General of AMSSNuR Saïd Mouline and Director General of CNESTEN Hamid Marah.