AFCONE Chairperson

STATEMENT FROM THE CHAIRPERSON OF ACONE

I am humbled by the immense privilege and profound weight of the responsibility entrusted to me as the AFCONE Chairperson. Together, alongside my fellow Commissioners, we reaffirm our unwavering fidelity to the ideals of the Pelindaba Treaty and our commitment to the spirit of the African Nuclear-Weapon-Free Zone.

African States have already acted by unequivocally expressing their desire for peace and security, taking the bold step of ratifying the Pelindaba Treaty. The desire is clear: no more nuclear weapons, no more development of nuclear weapons, no more possession of nuclear weapons, and no more testing of nuclear weapons in Africa.

At moments of turbulence, the Treaty is already bearing fruit, mitigating Africa’s potential risk of nuclear conflict, minimizing the prospects of nuclear mass destruction, and fostering a more secure regional environment.

At the same time, the Treaty must also play a greater role in driving African economic growth. Development touches the very heart of the African continent, and the Treaty deeply promotes and supports the peaceful and beneficial uses of nuclear science and technology. The agenda for AFCONE is therefore both extensive and ambitious leveraging the Pelindaba Treaty to contribute to achieving the African Union’s Agenda 2063 and the United Nations (UN) Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

We are taking bold steps to ensure that nuclear science and technology are embedded and adopted across every sector of African States’ economies from food and agriculture to energy, and from human health to environmental protection, water, and other vital areas. The ambition is visible on the ground, as more than twenty African States are embarking on nuclear energy programmes. At the same time, we are pioneering confidence-building measures among African States in the areas of nuclear security, safety, and safeguards.

Securing Africa as a nuclear-free zone is our firm demand, and we are prepared to shoulder the responsibilities that come with this mission. We invite the global community to join us to stand with us in this noble undertaking. This is the moment to be bolder, to show genuine solidarity with AFCONE, and to silence the naysayers.