IAEA designates its first African Capacity Building Centre in Morocco

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has designated the Moroccan Agency of Nuclear and Radiological Safety and Security (AMSSNUR) as its first African Capacity Building Center (CBC) for Emergency Preparedness and Response (EPR), the agency said on Thursday.

The decision is part of an agreement signed on May 21 in Vienna by IAEA Deputy Director General Juan Carlos Lentijo and AMSSNUR director general Khammar Mrabit. The agreement focuses mainly on radiological EPR education, training, knowledge management and networking and human resource development the same source said.

«The IAEA appreciates the willingness of AMSSNUR to expand the IAEA’s network of CBCs for EPR», said Lentijo, adding that «with this signing, we strengthen our cooperation to build EPR expertise in Africa».

Morocco’s Capacity Building Center and Emergency Preparedness and Response will be hosting training workshops for African countries interested in the field. «The Centre will share knowledge on the IAEA safety standards and the IAEA’s series of EPR publications through lectures and practical demonstrations», IAEA said.

«By offering a center for EPR activities in terms of training, sharing of knowledge and experience in the fields of nuclear and radiological safety and security, the Kingdom of Morocco is demonstrating its willingness to continuously assist in building and strengthening EPR capabilities in the Africa region», said Mrabit.