IAEA Selects Morocco to Lead African Nuclear Security Initiative

According to an agency press release, these four countries are called upon to play an important role in the implementation of the second phase of the project to strengthen control structures in 37 African countries. This will be through "facilitating the exchange of knowledge and best practices in the region."

This second phase of the project spans three years and is part of efforts to develop and expand the use of nuclear energy for peaceful purposes. It is about ensuring the protection of the environment and human lives against radioactive rays and preventing this technology from falling into the wrong hands.

To this end, IAEA Deputy Director General Carlos Lentijo stressed that "the presence of a strong and independent regulatory body that operates effectively and has the necessary legal authority, resources and mechanisms, is the first guarantee of safe and peaceful use of radioactive materials."

The second phase of the project is intended for 24 African countries in addition to 13 states that benefited from the first phase in 2017, Lentijo notes, before adding that similar projects are under development in Latin America and the Caribbean.