Acting Executive Secretary

STATEMENT FROM THE EXECUTIVE SECRETARY

As the Executive Secretary of the African Commission on Nuclear Energy (AFCONE), it is my distinct honour to reaffirm the unwavering commitment of the Secretariat to fostering peace, security, and sustainable development across our continent through the peaceful uses of nuclear science and technology.

In carrying out its mandate, the Secretariat serves as the administrative and technical arm of AFCONE, supporting Member States in the full and effective implementation of the African Nuclear-Weapon-Free Zone Treaty (Treaty of Pelindaba). Our work remains firmly anchored in the aspirations of the African Union’s Agenda 2063 and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), recognising that nuclear science and technology when applied responsibly and exclusively for peaceful purposes offer vital contributions to health, agriculture, water resource management, energy, and environmental protection.

The Secretariat stands resolute in its commitment to assist States Parties in meeting their obligations under the key international instruments that underpin the global non-proliferation and disarmament regime namely, the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT), the Comprehensive Safeguards Agreements (CSAs) concluded with the IAEA, and the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW). In doing so, we move together toward a common vision of a world free from the existential peril of nuclear arms, while safeguarding Africa’s distinguished role in promoting disarmament and the peaceful applications of nuclear science and technology.

In addition, the Secretariat remains deeply committed to supporting the work of the Bureau and the twelve Commissioners of AFCONE, who guide the strategic direction of our organisation. By providing technical, administrative, and policy support, the Secretariat ensures that the objectives of the Treaty of Pelindaba are advanced in line with the collective will of the States Parties. In this way, the Secretariat not only carries out its own mandate but also reinforces the leadership of the Bureau and the Commission in shaping Africa’s nuclear governance.

Our efforts are made possible through enduring partnerships with the African Union, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), and other global and regional stakeholders. These collaborations ensure that Africa remains at the forefront of global efforts to harness nuclear science for peace and development, while safeguarding against its misuse.

The Secretariat’s dedicated staff and management remain fully committed to serving our States Parties with professionalism, integrity, and purpose. Together, and in full alignment with the Bureau and the Commission, we will continue to promote the peaceful applications of nuclear science and technology for the benefit of present and future generations of Africa.