Thematically the programme engages the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT), and other related Conventions such as the 1980 Convention on the Physical Protection of Nuclear Material and the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty; the African Nuclear-Weapon-Free Zone Treaty (Treaty of Pelindaba); the Biological and Toxin Weapons Convention; the Chemical Weapons Convention; and relevant United Nations Security Council resolutions such as UNSCR 1540.
Programme objectives include:
- To identify and report on African attitudes and interests in the international debate on nuclear, chemical and biological non-proliferation and disarmament.
- To build African capacity to engage positively and effectively in international disarmament and non-proliferation forums.
- To strengthen global security by reducing the risk of use, and preventing the spread of, nuclear, biological and chemical weapons in Africa.
- Increasing the quality and accessibility of information about threats and dual-use concerns in relation to nuclear, biological and chemical weapons.
- Engaging members of the scientific community and industry in discussion and debate about the risks, rules and their responsibilities in relation to their activities.
- To stimulate discussion and dialogue about how Africa can positively balance its development needs with non-proliferation concerns.
Staff
Email: nstott@issafrica.org
Position: Senior Research Fellow, Programme Leader
Noel Stott heads the Africa's Development and the Threat of Weapons of Mass Destruction Programme. The aim of this programme is to identify and enhance Africa’s role in international efforts to strengthen disarmament and non-proliferation as they relate to WMD in the context of Africa’s developmental and security imperatives. The programme works on the African Nuclear-Weapon-Free Zone Treaty (Treaty of Pelindaba); the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT), and other related Conventions such as the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty; the Biological and Toxin Weapons Convention; the Chemical Weapons Convention; and relevant United Nations Security Council resolutions such as UNSCR 1540. Noel has been employed by the ISS since 2002 and has extensive experience in all aspects of arms control, disarmament and non-proliferation.
Email: mshadung@issafrica.org
Position: Junior Researcher
Mothepa Shadung is a junior researcher at the ISS in Pretoria. She is currently working on the Africa’s Development and the Threat of Weapons of Mass Destruction Programme in the Transnational Threats and International Crime Division. She has particular interest in the humanitarian consequences of the use of nuclear weapons. She holds a master’s (cum laude) qualification in international relations from the University of the Witwatersrand. Prior to joining the ISS, she worked as a part-time research analyst at Coxswain Social Investment Plus in Johannesburg and as a research assistant and peer tutor at the University of the Witwatersrand.
Name: Nicolas KasprzykEmail: nkasprzyk@issafrica.org
Position: Consultant
Nicolas Kasprzyk joined the ISS in August 2014 as project leader on the prevention of proliferation of nuclear, chemical and biological weapons, and their means of delivery to non-state actors. The project is part of the Transnational Threats and International Crime division in Pretoria. Before joining the ISS, Nicolas served at the UN headquarters as a 1540 Committee expert appointed by the Secretary-General. He held positions in the French Ministry of Defense’s Directorate for Strategic Affairs and at the European Aeronautic Defense and Space Company as a seconded researcher on non-proliferation and disarmament issues. Nicolas has a Master Degree in Law and a post-Master Degree in Arms Control, Disarmament and Verification from the University of Marne-la-Vallee, and was a recipient of the UN Disarmament Fellowship Programme (2005).
