Morocco's ambassador to the United States, Youssef Amrani, on Monday took part, in Washington, in a meeting chaired by U.S. Under Secretary of State for Arms Control and International Security, Bonnie Jenkins, on the the Sustained Dialogue on Peaceful Uses of Nuclear Energy, Science and Technology (SDPU).
During this meeting held at the State Department, Mr. Amrani welcomed efforts made within the framework of the SDPU initiative, "an important platform and a precious partner" for scientific and technological cooperation in several key sectors, particularly water, environment, food and health.
The diplomat stressed that the objectives of this initiative are in line with Morocco's national priorities set out in the New Development Model, as well as with the Kingdom's commitments to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The ambassador said in this regard that Morocco takes part in activities related to SDPU in particular through its competent agencies, namely the National Center for Energy and Nuclear Science and Technology (CNESTEN) and the Moroccan Agency for Nuclear and Radiological Safety and Security (AMSSNuR).
Since joining the IAEA in 1957, Morocco has introduced nuclear techniques for peaceful uses in various sectors and has benefited from the IAEA's effective cooperation and support, including through training, expertise and the acquisition of cutting-edge equipment, he added.
AMSSNuR and CNESTEN are both recognized, at the regional and continental levels, as centers of excellence in capacity building, training and technical support, in addition to their regulatory missions in this area, the ambassador pointed out.
Regarding the support provided by Morocco to African countries in this area, the diplomat expressed the Kingdom's readiness to promote triangular and multilateral cooperation initiatives, involving on the one hand the SDPU and the IAEA, and on the other the Member States concerned.
Such partnerships would further strengthen knowledge and expertise in this important area across Africa, Mr. Amrani underlined.
The SDPU aims to expand the conversation on peaceful uses of nuclear technology and identify opportunities for enhancing access to such technology in a manner guided by the interest of those engaged in the dialogue.
With a participant-driven approach, the program brings together diverse stakeholders including national policy makers, the private sector, and the broader international development community.
