“ISTC is proud to have the Partnership of   AFCONE  in   our activities in Africa,” read the   message of ISTC   Executive Director David   Cleave  to the leadership of   the African   Commission on  Nuclear Energy, conveying   congratulations on the  25th Anniversary of the   Treaty   of Pelindaba. In the  message AFCONE is    commended   for playing a  key role in advancing   the peaceful use of   nuclear  technology in Africa   and in bringing in much   needed support to the   State Parties to fully benefit   from  nuclear sciences and technology and their   applications in health, agriculture, energy and other areas.

To mark the anniversary AFCONE convened a virtual commemorative event on 12 April 2021.

On 11 April 1996, 47 of the 53 member states the then Organization of African Unity signed the Pelindaba Treaty in Cairo, Egypt, and adopted the Cairo Declaration. In this declaration, they recognised the “valuable contribution” of nuclear weapons free zones (NWFZs) to nuclear non-proliferation. NWFZs place geographical limitations on the development and proliferation of nuclear weapons; prevent nuclear tests; build confidence and trust among states in an insecure region; and advance regional cooperation on nuclear energy.

Several High-Level Officials delivered statements: the UN High Representative for Disarmament Affairs, the President Designate of the Tenth Review Conference of the Non Proliferation Treaty (NPT), the Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), the Executive Secretary of the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty Organization (CTBTO) and the Executive Director of the International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons (ICAN), the Ministers of Foreign Affairs of South Africa and of Algeria.

An impressive feature of the commemorative gathering was its inter-zonal dimension. Statements of solidarity were presented by the Secretary General of OPANAL (Latin America and Caribbean NWFZ Agency); the First Deputy Foreign Minister of Kyrgyzstan, rotating Chairman of the Central Asian NWFZ; the MFA Permanent Secretary of Brunei Darussalam, presiding ASEAN that established the South East Asia NWFZ; message on behalf of the Prime Minister of Tuvalu, Chair of the Pacific Islands Forum that concluded the South Pacific Nuclear-Free Zone (SPNFZ). The line-up of practically all NWFZs, representing more than 100 nations, proved that they stand ready to coordinate positions through the inter-zonal meeting that was scheduled to take place in Mongolia, but was moved to New York, to precede the NPT Review Conference in coming August.

ISTC actively supports the dialogue and cooperation between AFCONE and CANWFZ. Therefore, it is no coincidence that AFCONE Executive Secretary Messaoud Baaliouamer stated that he is convinced that AFCONE and ISTC will continue to cooperate in an impactful manner.