Nuclear News, Three Nations Commit to the International Atomic Energy Agency

Today in nuclear news, Belarus, Egypt, and Zimbabwe reaffirmed their dedication to nuclear safety, security, and the peaceful application of nuclear technology.

• Belarus endorsed the Convention on the Physical Protection of Nuclear Material.
• Egypt supported the Convention on Nuclear Safety (CNS).
• Zimbabwe deposited six instrumental commitments, including accession to the CNS and the Vienna Convention.

At the annual International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Treaty Event, Belarus, Egypt, and Zimbabwe reaffirmed their commitment to nuclear safety, security, and the peaceful use of nuclear technology.

This event serves as a platform to promote universal adherence to vital multilateral treaties. It exists on the sidelines of the 67th regular session of the IAEA General Conference.

These countries deposited legal instruments to become parties to various multilateral agreements between nations under IAEA sponsorship.

Belarus, represented by Andrei Dapkiunas, the Permanent Representative to the IAEA, endorsed the Convention on the Physical Protection of Nuclear Material (CPPNM/A). It establishes crucial legal obligations regarding the protection of nuclear material used for peaceful purposes during international transportation. It also addresses the criminalization of specific offenses related to nuclear material. In addition, these treaties promote international cooperation in cases involving the theft or unlawful acquisition of nuclear material.

For its part, Egypt, represented by Mohamed ElMolla, the Permanent Representative to the IAEA, endorsed the Convention on Nuclear Safety (CNS). This convention ensures that countries operating land-based civil nuclear power plants maintain a high level of safety. This is done by instituting fundamental safety principles to which all participating countries agree to adhere. It also requires periodic assessments of safety commitments through peer reviews conducted at meetings hosted at the IAEA Headquarters.

As for Zimbabwe, it was represented by A.T. Chikondo, Secretary for Project Implementation, Monitoring, and Evaluation, in the Office of the President and Cabinet. He demonstrated an impressive commitment by depositing six instrumental commitments:

1. Zimbabwe pledged to adhere to the Convention on Nuclear Safety (CNS) for land-based civil nuclear power plants’ safety.
2. Zimbabwe committed to the Vienna Convention, setting financial protection standards for nuclear damage from peaceful nuclear energy use.
3. Zimbabwe agreed to the Joint Protocol to harmonize the Vienna and Paris Conventions during nuclear incidents.
4. Zimbabwe accepted a Protocol to enhance liability provisions in the Vienna Convention on Nuclear Damage.
5. Zimbabwe reinforced global nuclear material protection by accepting the CPPNM/A Amendment.
6. Zimbabwe granted legal immunity to the IAEA and empowered its contractual and legal capabilities.

While the whole world is distracted with anticipating all the wrong ways AI could go, this nuclear news shows that some parts of the world see and acknowledge the current real threat. And the most important part is Zimbabwe’s involvement. Developing countries are taking their rightful place at the table.

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