Walta Info, 4 May 2011.

African Commission on Nuclear Energy (ACNE), a body responsible for the Africa’s endeavor in the area of nuclear energy, holds its first ordinary session today.

ACNE was established pursuant to the Treaty of Pelindaba, African Nuclear-Weapon-Free-Zone Treaty, which was adopted in June 1995 and entered into force on July 2009. “Today’s meeting offers an opportunity for the members of the newly established body to discuss its operationalization,” Ambassador Ramatane Lamara, Commissioner for Peace and Security of the African Union, said in his keynote address.

The meeting is expected to elect the Chairperson and Vice-chairperson of the ACNE, whose headquarter is endorsed to be established in South Africa. The meeting is also expected to discuss on the rules of procedure, format of reporting by states and structure of ACNE.

The Peace and Security Commissioner said that the AU works towards strengthening the nuclear weapons free zones regime, contributing to the nuclear disarmament and the effectiveness of the nuclear non-proliferation regime, with a view to achieving a world free of nuclear weapons.

“It is, therefore, important that States Parties mobilize the necessary resources for the implementation of the activities [of ACNE],” Ambassador Ramatane said.

Representatives of the 12 elected member states, which included Algeria, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Ethiopia, Kenya, Libya, Mali, Mauritius, Senegal, Togo and Tunisia, attended the meeting. The African Regional Cooperative Agreement for Research, Development and Training related to Nulcear Science and Technology (AFRA), the Forum of Nuclear Regulatory Bodies (FNBRA) and Preparatory Commission for the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organization (CTBTO) were also represented.

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