H.E. Amb Mohamed Edrees, Permanent Representative of the Africa Union to the United Nations (UN) receiving AFCONE Chairperson H.E. Gaspard LIYOKO MBOYO, on 6 May 2026 in New York.
In a move to strengthen nuclear non-proliferation and promote the peaceful use of atomic energy across the continent and beyond, the Chairperson of the African Commission on Nuclear Energy (AFCONE), Mr. Gaspard Liyoko Mboyo, held a high-level meeting with H.E. Amb. Mohamed Edrees, Permanent Representative of the African Union (AU) to the United Nations.
The meeting took place on the margins of the NPT Review Conference (NPTRevCon), highlighting the urgent need to address the status of the Pelindaba Treaty ratifications and to reinforce Africa’s position on global nuclear governance.
The two leaders focused on the current status of the African Nuclear-Weapon-Free Zone Treaty, discussing strategic measures to encourage member states to accelerate the ratification process.
The discussions emphasized the expansion of peaceful nuclear technology in Africa—particularly in health, agriculture, and energy—as a critical component of achieving the AU Agenda 2063.
Amb. Edrees and Chairperson Mboyo explored strengthening collaboration with the UN Office for Disarmament Affairs (UNODA) to boost safety, security, and safeguard mechanisms at regional levels.
The meeting comes at a critical time when AFCONE is actively seeking to solidify nuclear-weapon-free status in Africa and push for legally binding Negative Security Assurances (NSAs) against nuclear-weapon states.
NEW YORK, May 6, 2026 – In a move to strengthen nuclear non-proliferation and promote the peaceful use of atomic energy across the continent, the Chairperson of the African Commission on Nuclear Energy (AFCONE), Mr. Gaspard Liyoko Mboyo, held a high-level meeting with H.E. Amb. Mohamed Edrees, Permanent Observer of the African Union (AU) to the United Nations.
The meeting took place on the margins of the NPT Review Conference (NPTRevCon), highlighting the urgent need to address the status of the Pelindaba Treaty ratifications and foster, and to reinforce Africa’s position on global nuclear governance.