/ 5 December 2006

SA signs agreement on peaceful nuclear use

South Africa signed a five-year international agreement on peaceful nuclear-technology use on Tuesday, the Department of Science and Technology said.

The agreement with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) makes South Africa the only African country to finalise its second Country Programme Framework (CPF).

The framework replaces a similar agreement for 1999 to 2004 and outlines South Africa’s current and future priority needs for nuclear technical cooperation and development.

”The CPF is the mutually agreed strategy for matching nuclear technology to priorities identified by South Africa for its sustainable development,” said Dr Philemon Mjwara, the department’s director general.

The IAEA will provide $4-million over the CPF period for equipment, training and the exchange of scientists and technologists.

Department spokesperson Kristin Klose said areas that had been focused on were agriculture, water, energy and health.

Projects included pest control, groundwater monitoring, technical expertise in the energy field, radiotherapy and a neonatal screening programme.

Nine model projects were supported in the previous CPF cycle and 12 would be under the 2005 to 2010 cycle, Mjwara said in a speech prepared for the signing.

”The department is resolute that nuclear energy should be applied for peaceful uses to benefit South Africa’s health, agriculture, water and other resources and sectors.”

South Africa became a state party to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty in 1991.

Shortly afterwards an agreement was signed with the IAEA that allowed periodic on-site inspections and verification to ensure nuclear materials and installations were used for peaceful purposes. — Sapa