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Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear Risk Mitigation
10 June 2020NairobiDirectorate-General for External Relations, Directorate-General for International Cooperation and Development, Joint Research Centre

Addressing nuclear security concerns in Eastern & Central Africa

On 28 May, Kenya participated in the 7th steering committee of CBRN Project 60, which is an EU-financed project to strengthen nuclear security in the Eastern & Central Africa (ECA) region. 

CBRN CoE Project 60 small

During the past decade, there has been a marked increase in the use of nuclear agents and materials in industry, hospitals and universities worldwide, including in the ECA region.

In view of the security hazards surrounding nuclear materials, there is a need to strictly manage and control such nuclear agents, requiring the drafting and enforcement of necessary regulation.

The EU-financed project has raised awareness about the dangers of nuclear materials which are out of regulatory control, as such materials may fall in the hands of non-state actors and terrorist groups to carry out CBRN attacks.

Under the umbrella of CBRN project 60, Partner Countries in the ECA region are co-operating to address these issues and to prevent illicit cross-border trafficking of nuclear materials.
The CBRN National Focal Point (NFP) of Kenya commended CBRN project 60, in particular the regional workshops and technical assistance on law-drafting issues. He credited the project for having provided key inputs, which have enabled Kenya to finalise and adopt the new Nuclear Bill. Amongst other issues, the Bill establishes the new Nuclear Regulatory Authority, which is co-operating closely with CBRN project 60. In addition, the NFP underlined the need for both Kenya and partner countries in the ECA region to actively monitor illicit trafficking and cross-border movements of nuclear materials.

This is a particular threat which the ECA region needs to address in view of the many porous borders. There is also a need to step up controls and inspections at formal entry points, including ports. CBRN project 60 is financed by the European Commission as part of the EU Chemical, Biological, Radiological & Nuclear (CBRN) Risk Mitigation Centres of Excellence (CoE) Initiative. The EU CBRN CoE Initiative is a global programme in which 61 partner countries –including Kenya and 10 other partner countries in the ECA region- are participating.

The objective of the CBRN CoE Initiative is to strengthen Partner Countries’ capacities to mitigate CBRN risks, including prevention and response to accidents and incidents, whether they are of a natural, accidental or intentional nature. More information about the EU CBRN CoE Initiative is available at: https://ec.europa.eu/jrc/en/research-topic/chemical-biological-radiolog…

Details

Publication date
10 June 2020
Authors
Directorate-General for External Relations | Directorate-General for International Cooperation and Development | Joint Research Centre
Location
Nairobi