The Executive Secretary of the African Nuclear Energy Commission (AFCONE), Enobot Agboraw, commended, Thursday in Rabat, the far-sighted vision of His Majesty King Mohammed VI for Africa and His Majesty’s commitment to strengthening South-South cooperation and promoting intra-African cooperation.
In a statement to the press following his talks with the Minister of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation, and Moroccan Expatriates, Nasser Bourita, Agboraw expressed his gratitude to the Sovereign for His commitment to further develop the South-South region and the socio-economic situation of African citizens.
Recalling his talks with Bourita, Agboraw described the meeting as “very fruitful,” stressing that it included discussions around ways to develop Africa and reach solutions to the challenges facing the continent.
“We identified several areas of cooperation in the nuclear ecosystem between AFCONE and Morocco,” stated Agboraw, indicating that one of the Commission’s main concerns is the contribution to regional and global peace and security by ensuring that African states adhere to the obligations of non-proliferation, disarmament and nuclear security under the Pelindaba Treaty.
The Executive Secretary also recalled the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) between AFCONE and Morocco’s National Center for Energy and Nuclear Science and Technology (CNESTEN), stressing AFCONE’s willingness to benefit from Morocco’s expertise in the peaceful use of nuclear energy to stimulate and promote sustainable industrial and economic development in Africa.
In a similar context, Agboraw indicated that this is AFCONE’s first time signing a cooperation agreement with an African government, welcoming this “historic moment” as an important step towards achieving intra-African cooperation.
Agboraw further stated that this agreement is part of the vision of His Majesty the King for Africa, hoping that other African states would follow Morocco’s example.
AFCONE’s official also welcomed Morocco’s support to the Commission for the promotion of peace, security, and development in Africa, underlining the key role that the Kingdom plays in this regard under the Enlightened Leadership of His Majesty King Mohammed VI.
For his part, Bourita congratulated Agboraw on his appointment as Executive Secretary of the Commission, expressing Morocco’s support for his mandate and his mission to strengthen the role of the Commission to promote peace and boost development in Africa.
Bourita stressed, on this occasion, the importance of efficient governance of the commission that will further strengthen its approach, promote its prominent role within African states and encourage the ownership by these states of the peaceful use of nuclear energy.
Bourita also shed light on the key aspects of the vision of His Majesty the King for Africa and the development of South-South cooperation that is supportive, active, and mutually beneficial in several areas, notably the peaceful use of nuclear energy.
The Minister also expressed to the Executive Secretary Morocco’s willingness to explore ways to develop a collaboration with AFCONE based on triangular cooperation between Morocco, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), and AFCONE (MOROCCO-IAEA-AFCONE) in training.
The African Commission on Nuclear Energy (AFCONE) was established by the Pelindaba Treaty on the African Nuclear Weapon Free Zone.
AFCONE aims to ensure compliance by States Parties with their obligations under the Treaty, as well as to promote the peaceful use of nuclear science and technology in several fields, including health, agriculture, industry, and energy.
Morocco ratified the Pelindaba Treaty in April 2022 and participated in the 5th Ordinary Conference of States Parties to this Treaty, which was held in Addis Ababa between May 17 to 18, 2022.