The Conference of States Parties

The Conference of States Parties

The Conference of States Parties (CSP) to the African Nuclear-Weapon-Free Zone Treaty (Pelindaba Treaty) is the supreme decision-making body of the African Commission on Nuclear Energy (AFCONE), as established under Article 12 of the Treaty. It is composed of all African States that have ratified or acceded to the Treaty and serves as the primary forum for collective decision-making and oversight of the Treaty’s implementation. The Conference provides overall policy and strategic direction for the operation of the Treaty and supervises the work of the AFCONE, ensuring compliance with its objectives and principles.

The first Conference was convened by the Depositary, identified in Article 14 as the Secretary-General of the Organization of African Unity (OAU) whose functions are now exercised by the Chairperson of the African Union Commission following the Treaty’s entry into force. The Conference elects the twelve members of the AFCONE and determines its headquarters. It also adopts the Commission’s budget and the scale of assessed contributions payable by the States Parties. Conferences are held as necessary and at least every two years. The CSP may also consider measures to ensure compliance and to promote cooperation among States Parties in the peaceful uses of nuclear science and technology, consistent with the objectives outlined in Article 8 of the Treaty.