FNRBA Aims to Further Strengthen Nuclear Safety and Security Infrastructure in Africa

Omar Sabry, IAEA Department of Nuclear Safety and Security

Juan Carlos Lentijo, IAEA Deputy Director General and Head of the Department of Nuclear Safety and Security, delivering opening remarks to the FNRBA audience. (Photo: N. Lay/IAEA)

The recent restructuring of the Forum of Nuclear Regulatory Bodies in Africa (FNRBA), into six new thematic working groups (TWGs), was among the key outcomes of its 15th Steering Committee meeting that took place last week at IAEA headquarters. The TWGs scope covers legislative and regulatory infrastructure, radiation and waste safety, nuclear safety, emergency preparedness and response, transport and nuclear security.
“I would like to take this opportunity to commend the excellent cooperation, involvement and engagement of FNRBA Member States in identifying synergies and initiatives that are geared towards improving the sustainability of our efforts to enhance nuclear safety and security in Africa,” said Juan Carlos Lentijo, IAEA Deputy Director General and Head of the Department of Nuclear Safety and Security.
The message of this meeting was that in order to achieve the desired goals and to fulfil the Forum’s mandate, members need to make collective and systematic efforts, build synergies, maximize impact and streamline coordination among all relevant stakeholders.
Discussions, including presentations of the FNRBA self-assessment survey results, provided a basis for the development of the 2020-2021 FNRBA Action Plan. The two-year plan, which will pave the way for the next chapter for FNRBA, defines over 30 actions primarily focused on delivering capacity building activities, including support for African countries to adhere to conventions and instruments on nuclear safety and security. National regulators also presented new project proposals for 2022-2023, addressing high priority areas and identifying gaps, especially in the areas of radiation safety infrastructure and capacity building.
Presentations delivered by national regulators, IAEA staff and FNRBA donors, covered a range of thematic areas, including nuclear safety and security, safeguards, legal and regulatory infrastructure, radiation protection, and emergency preparedness and response.

Strengthening collaboration

Participants emphasized on the growing need to strengthen capacity building in Africa and voiced the importance of more robust cooperation among relevant competent authorities, including regional organizations such as the African Regional Cooperative Agreement for Research, Development and Training related to Nuclear Science and Technology (AFRA) and the African Commission on Nuclear Energy (AFCONE).
“We need to enable Africa to become self-reliant and find sustainable ways to retain knowledge and expertise,” said Bismark Tyobeka, the Chief Executive Officer of the South African National Nuclear Regulator.
Participants also discussed the Regulatory Infrastructure Development Programme (RIDP) and safety-focused projects within the IAEA’s Technical Cooperation Programme for Africa.
“Nuclear and radiation safety is one of the top priorities for the IAEA’s technical cooperation programme,” said Dazhu Yang, IAEA Deputy Director General and Head of the Department of Technical Cooperation. “Without an adequate regulatory infrastructure in place, our Member States cannot take full advantage of the benefits of nuclear science and technology.”
In his concluding remarks newly appointed FNRBA Chairman Khammar Mrabit, from Morocco, said: “We as an African network, are and should continue to be results-oriented. We need to optimize our resources and align our efforts with existing mechanisms. This will enable us to maximize our impact and provide timely assistance to FNRBA Member States. We have a moral responsibility to help Africa.”
The meeting took place on 19-21 February 2020, bringing together over 30 participants from 13 African regulators, including major donors of FNRBA.