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Rabat – The Moroccan Agency for Nuclear and Radiological Safety and Security (AMSSNuR) and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) signed in Vienna on September 29 Practical Arrangements aimed at strengthening radiological safety measures in Africa
The signing ceremony took place on the sidelines of the 67th regular session of the IAEA’s General Conference, AMSSNuR said in a statement.
The agreement was signed by Said Mouline, Director-General of AMSSNuR, and Lydie Evrard, Deputy Director-General responsible for nuclear and radiation safety at the IAEA.
According to AMSSNuR’s statement, the overarching goal is to build capacity in radiological safety across the African continent, ensuring the secure use of ionizing radiation sources.
Speaking on the sidelines of the signing of the agreement, Mouline emphasized that capacity building is a necessity for Africa’s development across all sectors, particularly in radiological safety regulation.
AMSSNuR has already earned recognition as the first IAEA Collaborating Center in Africa for enhancing nuclear security capacities. The Moroccan agency was also designated as the first IAEA regional center in Africa for developing skills in nuclear emergency preparedness and response.
Read also: Morocco’s AMSSNuR, IAEA Promotes Nuclear Safety in Vienna
In its statement, the agency says it is committed to meeting the rigorous criteria set forth by the IAEA, which include independence, neutrality, and integrity.
Following the signing of the agreement, AMSSNuR is set to establish an “African School for Radiological Safety Regulators” in close collaboration with the IAEA.
The institution is said to play a significant role in strengthening the existing regulatory infrastructure by conducting a minimum of three training courses annually, designed in partnership with the IAEA.
The courses will cover a wide array of topics, including regulatory drafting, authorization processes, and inspection of ionizing radiation sources.
In addition, there will be training sessions tailored for radiological protection officers. The primary aim of the initiatives is to bolster the skills and capabilities of radiological safety regulators in Africa, ultimately ensuring the safe and secure utilization of ionizing radiation sources in the region.
With the support of the IAEA, the three-year will not only enhance the regulatory infrastructure but also improve its efficiency and sustainability in Africa, the statement explained.
AMSSNuR concluded that the collaboration would have a transformative impact on the skills and capabilities of radiological safety regulators across the continent.
