Kenya has asked African states to honour their commitments within the African Regional Cooperative Agreement for Research, Development and Training related to Nuclear Science and Technology (AFRA).
Kenya Ambassador to Austria and Permanent Representative to UN Missions in Vienna Maurice Makoloo on Thursday asked African states to sign the AFRA Revised Agreement and make their contributions to the AFRA Fund so as to realize more the objectives of AFRA.
He spoke in his capacity as the chairman of African Group.
The revised AFRA entered into force on April 4,  2020, replacing the 1990 AFRA, which entered into force on April 4, 1990 for five years. It currently has 38 countries as parties.
Following its extension for further periods of five years, it expired on April 3, 2020.
It entered into force in Kenya in January 2024.
The scope of AFRA activities covers a wide range of peaceful applications of nuclear techniques that contribute towards the achievement of national and regional development goals.
Ambassador Makoloo also welcomed the launch of Rays of Hope and Atoms4Food Initiatives, saying they will improve access to cancer diagnosis and treatment, and contribute to food security globally and in Africa in particular.
Makoloo noted that the initiatives will be of great assistance to African countries
“I cannot stress enough the importance of the assistance to African Member States and the recent launch of the Rays of Hope and Atoms4Food initiatives,” the envoy said at the 35th Meeting of the African Regional Cooperative Agreement for Research, Development and Training related to Nuclear Science and Technology (AFRA) Representatives.
AFRA is an intergovernmental Agreement established by African Member States to strengthen and enlarge the contribution of nuclear science and technology to socio-economic development in Africa.
Launched under the International Atomic Energy Agency, projects under the Rays of Hope build or strengthen radiation safety legislation and infrastructure and provide quality control, guidance, training and equipment.
Rays of Hope provides a set of interventions that build on and complement each other in order to maximize impact and prioritize a limited number of high-impact, cost-effective and sustainable interventions in line with national needs and commitment for countries without radiotherapy or with inequitable access.
The initiative also contributes to the fulfilment of the 2030 Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goal 3 (Good Health and Well-Being), Indicator 3.4 to reduce premature mortality from non-communicable diseases by one third.
On the other hand, Atoms4Food is an initiative that helps countries boost food security and to tackle growing hunger. The initiative seeks to provide countries with solutions tailored to their specific needs and circumstances.
It does this by harnessing the advantages of nuclear techniques along with other advanced technologies to enhance agricultural and livestock productivity, natural resources management, reduce food losses, ensure food safety, improve nutrition and adapt to the challenges of climate change.
