African participation in the 2012 Nuclear Security Summit

From 26 - 27 March 2012, 53[1] heads of state and government, as well as representatives of the United Nations (UN), International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), European Union (EU) and INTERPOL attended the Nuclear Security Summit in Seoul, South Korea.

Six African countries participated in the 2012 Nuclear Security Summit - Algeria, Egypt, Gabon, Morocco, Nigeria and South Africa.

Highlights of Achievements and Commitments by Participating African Countries as Stated in National Progress Reports include:

• Algeria: indicated its intention to join the Global Initiative to Combat Nuclear Terrorism (GICNT), updating its domestic regulations to strengthen nuclear security and established a Nuclear Security Training and Support Center in 2011
• Gabon: Enacting a new Bill on the Regulatory Framework of Nuclear and Radiation Safety, Security and Safeguards; establishing the Gabonese Agency on Nuclear Safety and Security
• Morocco: Ratifying 2005 CPPNM; enhancing border control and national capacity to detect illicit trafficking; legislating a new law on nuclear and radiological safety and security
• Nigeria: Converting a miniature research reactor from using HEU fuel to LEU fuel in cooperation with China, the US and the IAEA; ratifying ICSANT; passing the Nuclear Safety, Security and Safeguards Bill to domesticate international treaties
• South Africa: Considering converting HEU to LEU; ratifying 2005 CPPNM Amendment; considering establishing a Center of Excellence jointly with the IAEA.

The key outcome of the Summit is the Seoul Communiqué, which builds on the objectives and measures set out in the 2010 Washington Communiqué to identify 11 areas of priority and importance in nuclear security and presents specific actions in each area. The 11 areas are: the global nuclear security architecture; the role of the IAEA; nuclear materials; radioactive sources; nuclear security and safety; transportation security; combating illicit trafficking; nuclear forensics; nuclear security culture; information security; and international cooperation.[2]

All documents related to the Nuclear Security Summit can be found HERE

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Notes

[1] Republic of Korea(Chair), Algeria, Argentina, Armenia, Australia, Azerbaijan, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Chile, China, Czech Republic, Denmark, Egypt, Finland, France, Gabon, Georgia, Germany, Hungary, India, Indonesia, Israel, Italy, Japan, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Lithuania, Malaysia, Mexico, Morocco, The Netherlands, New Zealand, Nigeria, Norway, Pakistan, Philippines, Poland, Romania, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Thailand, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, Ukraine, United Kingdom, United States, and Viet Nam
[2] The Seoul Nuclear Security Summit Preparatory Secretariat, "Key Facts on the 2012 Seoul Nuclear Security Summit", 27 March 2012