Casablanca – The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) launched an emergency preparedness review mission on Monday in Rabat to assess Morocco’s capabilities and level of preparedness for nuclear and radiological emergencies (NREs).
The mission’s goal is to analyze the country’s competencies by comparing its arrangements with the latest IAEA safety criteria and with the best practices applied globally.
The review is expected to last until November 2 with the Moroccan Agency for Nuclear and Radiological Safety and Security (AMSSNuR) at the request of the Moroccan government.
With the aim of minimizing the consequences of any nuclear or radiological accident, Morocco will develop an action plan based on the IAEA’s recommendations to improve the NRE preparedness arrangements, as well as its capabilities to respond to nuclear or radiological emergencies.
At the end of the mission, the IAEA team will share its findings with member states after submitting an assessment report on Morocco’s nuclear and radiological emergency response plans and capabilities.
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In addition to IAEA experts, national actors such as the Ministry of Interior, the Ministry of Health and Social Protection, and the Ministry of Energy Transition and Sustainable Development will be participating.
The General Directorate of Civil Protection, the Royal Armed Forces, the National Center for Energy, Science and Nuclear Techniques, and the National Institute of Agricultural Research will also participate.
Morocco has recently shown increased interest in the nuclear energy sector.
In June, Morocco’s Ambassador and Permanent Representative in Vienna Azzedine Farhane reaffirmed the Kingdom’s commitment to cooperate with the IAEA in a variety of domains.
“Morocco remains committed to its cooperation with the Agency in the fields of health, nutrition, water, agriculture, industry, environment, and in general in promoting the peaceful use of nuclear applications and technologies for sustainable development,” Farhane emphasized.
