AFCONE Chairperson H.E. Gaspard LIYOKO MBOYO addressing 2026 NPT Review Conference on 29th April 2026, at the United Nations headquarters, in New York, USA.
As the 11th Review Conference of the Parties to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) commenced at the United Nations Headquarters on April 27, 2026, the African Commission on Nuclear Energy (AFCONE) arrived with a clear, united voice: Africa demands meaningful progress on nuclear disarmament, legally binding security assurances, and the right to peaceful nuclear technology for development.
Following the expiration of the New START treaty and amid escalating global tensions, AFCONE, leading on behalf of the Pelindaba Treaty, positioned the continent as a moral leader in global security.
AFCONE reinforced its commitment to implementing the Pelindaba Treaty while advancing safe and secure nuclear power deployment across the continent, in line with African Union Agenda 2063.
The 2026 NPT RevCon brought together a diverse group of stakeholders to assess progress on nuclear disarmament, non-proliferation, and the peaceful use of nuclear energy.
Government representatives attending 2026 NPT RevCon in New York, USA.
In statements echoing the 2026 African Group position, AFCONE Chairperson emphasized that the three pillars of the NPT, namely disarmament, non-proliferation, and peaceful uses, must be treated with equal weight.
A major focus for AFCONE at the 2026 RevCon is securing legally binding Negative Security Assurances (NSAs). AFCONE urged Nuclear Weapon States to ratify the protocols of the Treaty of Pelindaba without reservations.
AFCONE highlighted that as African nations explore nuclear technology for health, agriculture, and energy which is important for achieving the African Union Agenda 2063 and therefore the peaceful use of nuclear technology must remain accessible. However, this expansion must be accompanied by robust safety and security measures, with AFCONE acting as the key regional regulator.
AFCONE Chairperson H.E. Gaspard LIYOKO MBOYO addressing 2026 NPT Review Conference on 29th April 2026, at the United Nations headquarters, in New York, USA.
Reaffirming its commitment to total nuclear elimination, AFCONE emphasized the complementarity between the Pelindaba Treaty and the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW)], encouraging universal adoption of the TPNW as an expression of the security interests of the non-nuclear-weapon majority.
“This meeting offers Africa a timely opportunity to reflect together on the significant developments over the past few decades, so that we can move forward with a shared understanding of the realities shaping our relations and responsibilities”, said H.E. Gaspard MBOYO when delivering his remarks during high-level session.