Rabat – In a step towards bolstering radiological safety and security measures, the Moroccan Agency for Nuclear and Radiological Safety and Security (AMSSNuR) and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) have jointly inaugurated a comprehensive regional training program. The aim is to enhance the capabilities of new African regulators in ensuring effective regulatory control of radiological safety and security of radioactive materials.
The six-week program, running from May 6 to June 14, was launched in Rabat on Monday. It follows the practical arrangements signed in September 2023 by Saïd Mouline, Director-General of AMSSNuR, and Lydie Evrard, Deputy Director-General of the IAEA.
Participants hailing from diverse African nations including Benin, Burundi, Congo, Côte d’Ivoire, Comoros, Central African Republic, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Gabon, Mauritania, Niger, Senegal, Chad, and Morocco, have converged for the training, underscoring its continental significance.
Designed to immerse regulator
s in best practices and international safety standards, the program encompasses a range of workshops, in-depth theoretical sessions, and practical case studies.
During the inauguration, Mouline stressed the crucial role of the initiative, highlighting nuclear and radiological safety and security as fundamental pillars for sustainable development and public protection. He emphasized the necessity of effective regulatory control, citing the potentially catastrophic consequences of accidents stemming from the mishandling of radiation sources.
Furthermore, Mouline advocated for the strengthening of regulatory skills essential for the adept management of nuclear technologies across the continent. He commended the presence of Hildegarde Vandenhove, Director of the Division of Radiological Safety, Transport, and Radioactive Waste at the IAEA, recognizing the organization’s unwavering commitment to the event.
As part of the program, Vandenhove delivered a lecture on the role of the young generation in the Sustaina
bility of the Peaceful, Safe, and Secure Use of Nuclear Science and Technology” at AMSSNuR.
Additionally, visits to key facilities such as the National Center for Nuclear Sciences and Techniques (CNESTEN) and the National Institute of Oncology are scheduled, offering participants firsthand insights into nuclear research and medical applications.
Source: Agence Marocaine De Presse