As the first IAEA Collaborating Centre in the field of nuclear security in Africa, the Moroccan Agency for Nuclear and Radiological Safety and Security (AMSSNuR) will provide an important platform to support the IAEA’s efforts to enhance nuclear security in the region, by working to strengthen regulatory frameworks and the security of radioactive sources, as well as support capacity building in these areas.
By signing an agreement this week, the IAEA recognized the expertise of AMSSNuR in nuclear safety and security and the two organizations officially established their cooperation in the field of nuclear security.
“We look forward to our continued work with AMSSNuR, through the Collaborating Centre, to further contribute to enhancing capacity building for nuclear security around the world, particularly in Africa,” said Lydie Evrard, IAEA Deputy Director General and Head of the Department of Nuclear Safety and Security, during the signing ceremony.
AMSSNuR is also well placed to support cooperation among countries in the region, as well as with the IAEA, through the utilization of existing networks such as the Forum of Nuclear Regulatory Bodies in Africa (FNRBA).
“This agreement is indeed a significant milestone for strengthening the rich and multidimensional partnership between Morocco and the IAEA,” said Ambassador Azzeddine Farhane, Permanent Representative of Morocco to the United Nations in Vienna, noting that the signing of the agreement occurs during the Moroccan presidency of the 64th session of the IAEA General Conference.
There has been close collaboration between the two organizations for many years on a number of projects, including most recently AMSSNuR’s hosting of the Third International Regulators Conference on Nuclear Security in 2019, as well as the key role the organization has played in facilitating the IAEA’s Regulatory Infrastructure Development Project (RIDP).
The first activity to be implemented under the Collaborating Centre’s workplan is the Regional Workshop on Developing a National Framework for Managing the Response to Nuclear Security Events, scheduled to take place in Rabat, Morocco, from 27 September to 1 October 2021.
“AMSSNuR is committed to working closely with the IAEA and countries in Africa to strengthen nuclear security and we stand ready to make every effort to implement the work plan of this important agreement,” said Khammar Mrabit, Director General of AMSSNuR.
The designation of AMSSNuR in this regard brings the total number of IAEA Collaborating Centres in the field of nuclear security to 6 worldwide.
