The Permanent Representative of Morocco to the United Nations and international organizations in Vienna, Azeddine Farhan, confirmed yesterday, Monday, that Morocco remains fully committed to sharing its expertise in the peaceful and safe use of nuclear applications and technologies with its partners, particularly with African countries that are members of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).
In his speech before the IAEA Board of Governors, held in Vienna from June 9 to 13, Farhan highlighted that Morocco, with the support of the Agency, has developed recognized expertise in several areas, including health, nuclear medicine, nutrition, water, agriculture, industry, and the environment. He noted that the Kingdom has established recognized training centers in the application of nuclear technologies across various sectors, citing data from the IAEA’s annual report for 2024.
The report emphasizes the importance of the first regional meeting organized by Morocco and the Agency on implementing a regional approach to the “One Health Initiative” for combating zoonotic diseases in Africa, which aims to enhance capacities for detecting and combating infectious diseases that are transmitted from animals to humans. He pointed out that this meeting brought together 34 African national laboratories to exchange experiences and assess results achieved under the “Zodiac” initiative, as well as to identify synergies with other initiatives.
Regarding the IAEA Director General’s “Rays of Hope” initiative, Farhan explained that the report acknowledges the Moroccan National Institute of Oncology, designated as an Agency center, contributes to strengthening the capacities of member African countries through training and experience exchange.
He added that the report also highlights that the annual meeting of national contact points and coordinators for the African Regional Cooperation Agreement for Research, Development, and Training in Nuclear Science and Technology (AFRA), held in Rabat in February 2024 with the participation of 37 African member countries, saw the exchange of experiences and best practices in the peaceful use of nuclear technologies. Farhan noted that this meeting also discussed important regional issues, aimed at exchanging lessons learned from the implementation of the technical cooperation program during the COVID-19 pandemic, by strengthening the role of women in the field of nuclear energy and developing partnerships within the framework of technical cooperation programs across the African continent.
Furthermore, the report mentioned the launch of a master’s program in nutrition sciences and nuclear technologies, the first of its kind in Africa, at the International University of Rabat, with sixteen African students enrolling in this specialization in 2024.
The ambassador highlighted that the report indicates the installation and operation of a Cobalt-60 device in a new facility in Morocco utilizing the sterile insect technique, marking significant progress in enhancing human resource capabilities.
He added that Morocco’s commitment extends beyond supporting the peaceful uses of nuclear energy; it also actively contributes to enhancing nuclear security and safety at the international level, through Morocco’s presidency of the steering committee of the International Nuclear Security and Safety Network and as the North African coordinator for the African Nuclear Regulatory Organizations Forum, as well as its membership in the IAEA’s International Nuclear Security Standards Committee.
On another note, Farhan reiterated the central role of the IAEA in promoting the peaceful use of nuclear technology, commending the initiatives launched by the Agency’s Director General, Rafael Mariano Grossi, which have had a tangible impact on the lives of people in developing countries, particularly in Africa. He affirmed that the “Rays of Hope”, “Zodiac”, “NUTEC Plastics”, and “Atoms4Food” initiatives offer practical solutions and tangible assistance to member states, especially regarding cancer prevention, food security, and epidemic prevention.
