Vienna: Morocco highlights its expertise in nuclear research

Morocco stood out at the headquarters of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) with a stand dedicated to highlighting the substantial contribution of Moroccan institutions in the field of nuclear research and the training of African executives for the use of nuclear applications for peaceful purposes.

Under the theme “let us share Morocco’s experience in nuclear sciences to strengthen national capacities in Africa», the stand presents the different actions carried out by Moroccan scientific institutions for the sharing of national know-how with African countries, in accordance with the high royal vision, aiming to promote the sharing of knowledge as the best pillar of Southern cooperation -South.

The Director General of the IAEA, Rafael Mariano Grossi, took this opportunity to welcome the partnership with Morocco which covers several key development sectors, notably agriculture and health, while emphasizing that Morocco’s expertise in nuclear sciences is a strong asset for national and regional development.

Set up in cooperation between the permanent mission of Morocco in Vienna and the IAEA, the stand is hosted by the National Center for Nuclear Energy, Sciences and Techniques (CNESTEN), with the participation of the main national institutions concerned, namely the Moroccan Agency for Nuclear and Radiological Safety and Security (AMSSNuR), the CHU-Ibn Sina, the National Center for Scientific and Technical Research (CNRST), the National Institute of Agricultural Research (INRA), and the National Food Safety Office (ONSSA).

In addition to MM. Grossi, Farhane and Marah (DG of CNESTEN), the inauguration of the stand was attended by the Ivorian Ministers of Agriculture, Kobenan Kouassi Adjoumani and of Health, Pierre Dimba, as well as the Ambassador permanent representatives of the Coast of Ivory to International Organizations in Vienna, Yacouba Cisse.

Read also: Immersion in the heart of CNESTEN: cutting-edge expertise in nuclear research

In his intervention at the Ministerial Conference on Nuclear Science, Technology and Applications and the Technical Cooperation Program, Azzeddine Farhane, permanent representative of Morocco to international organizations in Vienna, stressed that Morocco remains “fully committed” to continuing to share, either in a bilateral framework or in cooperation with the IAEA, its experience with its partners as well as with African countries with a view to promoting the use of applications , nuclear science and technology for peaceful purposes.

«The safe and secure use of nuclear applications is a priority shared by Morocco and the IAEA in Africa“, affirmed the diplomat.

He noted that Morocco has developed, thanks to the support of the IAEA, national expertise in promoting the peaceful use of applications and technologies in a safe, secure and sustainable manner in many areas, including health. , nuclear medicine, nutrition, water, agriculture, industry, environment, energy, nuclear safety and security.

In this context, Morocco is taking measures, in cooperation with the IAEA, aimed at strengthening national capacities and sharing expertise in the field of nuclear applications, particularly in partnership with African member states, said Mr. Farhane.

Farhane also recalled the Kingdom’s continued support for the Zodiac initiative, which aims to strengthen capacities for detecting and combating infectious diseases transmitted from animals to humans (zoonoses) and which was adopted under the presidency Morocco of the 64th General Conference of the IAEA.

With the aim of strengthening the regional dimension of this initiative, Morocco organized, jointly with the IAEA, two weeks ago, the regional meeting in Rabat on the implementation of ZODIAC in Africa, which gave impetus to the implementation of this initiative, by strengthening the African network of national laboratories.

Morocco, which hosts an IAEA regional anchor center for cancer therapy, remains fully committed to supporting the “Rays of Hope” initiative, which aims to provide cancer care for all. and to compensate for the lack of radiotherapy in developing countries, assured Mr. Farhane.

Furthermore, the use of nuclear technology for desalination and the production of drinking water is more crucial than ever, he said, noting that in this context, Morocco presented this year, as a signatory , a resolution submitted by the G77 and adopted by consensus at the 68th General Conference of the IAEA on “Plan for economical production of drinking water using small and medium-sized nuclear reactors».

This resolution highlights the need for continued strengthening of international cooperation in the planning and implementation of nuclear desalination programs, he said.