Assahafa.com
Morocco on Monday reiterated its strong support for the technical cooperation program of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), as well as its commitment to “sharing its experience and expertise through South-South and triangular cooperation.”
“Morocco reaffirms its strong support for the Technical Cooperation Programme, which remains one of the Agency’s most important statutory functions,” said Ambassador, Permanent Representative of the Kingdom to the International Organizations in Vienna, during the IAEA Board of Governors meeting held from June 8 to 12 in the Austrian capital.
Speaking under agenda item 3 devoted to the Agency’s 2025 Annual Report, Farhane welcomed the progress achieved by the IAEA over the past year under the leadership of Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi, highlighting the growing contribution of nuclear applications in key areas such as energy security, food security, water resource management, environmental protection, and health.
Regarding technical cooperation, the diplomat recalled that in 2025 the IAEA implemented 178 national projects and 19 regional projects in Africa, awarded 843 fellowships and scientific visits, facilitated the participation of 1,357 individuals in training activities, and organized 32 regional training courses.
He welcomed the Technical Cooperation Fund implementation rate, which reached 99.6% by the end of 2025, as well as the results achieved by the Agency’s flagship initiatives, notably Atoms4Food, NUTEC Plastics, Rays of Hope, and ZODIAC, which provide tangible support to member states through capacity-building, knowledge transfer, and partnership mobilization.
Farhane took the opportunity to reiterate Morocco’s commitment to working constructively to strengthen the IAEA’s contribution to peace, development, and prosperity, as well as its dedication to enhancing technical cooperation and sharing expertise for the benefit of African countries.
Referring to Morocco’s efforts, he noted that the 2025 Annual Report highlights the organization in Morocco, in May 2025, of a Research Reactor School aimed at training young professionals in various fields related to reactor physics, safe operation, and research reactor applications.
Reaffirming the importance of maintaining the highest standards of nuclear safety and security, he stressed that primary responsibility in these areas rests with each member state, while underscoring the central role of the IAEA in strengthening international cooperation, developing safety standards, and assisting states upon request.
Farhane emphasized that “nuclear safety and security must facilitate, not hinder, the peaceful uses of nuclear technology and international cooperation in this field.”
The Kingdom, he added, “supports efforts aimed at ensuring sufficient, assured, and predictable resources for the Technical Cooperation Programme in order to effectively respond to the growing needs and priorities of member states.”
Under agenda item 4, dedicated to the IAEA Technical Cooperation Report, Farhane reaffirmed Morocco’s firm commitment to “sharing its experience and expertise through South-South and triangular cooperation,” particularly within the framework of the African Regional Cooperative Agreement for Research, Development and Training Related to Nuclear Science and Technology.
The diplomat highlighted the contribution of Moroccan institutions to the Agency’s development efforts, noting that the National Center for Energy, Sciences and Nuclear Techniques has organized several specialized training sessions and scientific events for experts from more than forty African member states.
In this context, he announced that CNESTEN will host the 37th Meeting of the AFRA Technical Working Group on June 15, 2026, ahead of Morocco’s chairmanship of the agreement for the 2026-2027 period.
Farhane also underscored the role of the Moroccan Agency for Nuclear and Radiological Safety and Security, which, as an IAEA Collaborating Centre and Capacity-Building Centre, continues to provide practical support to African regulatory authorities.
In conclusion, the diplomat called for the organization of an evaluation meeting open to all member states in order to collectively review the results achieved by the IAEA’s flagship initiatives, exchange experiences, and identify ways to further enhance their effectiveness and long-term impact.
Source: map
