Morocco is reinforcing its commitment to nuclear safety, security and the peaceful use of nuclear technologies during the ongoing meeting of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Board of Governors, taking place from March 2 to 6, 2026, in Vienna. The country’s engagement also highlights its growing role in promoting industrial applications of nuclear science, including non-destructive testing (NDT), across Africa and the Middle East.
In September 2025, Morocco was elected Vice-President of the IAEA Board of Governors for the 2025–2026 term, with Azzeddine Farhane representing the country in this role. The nomination was presented on behalf of the Group of 77 and China (Vienna Chapter) and received unanimous support from all 134 member states of the group, reflecting strong international backing for Morocco’s diplomatic and technical engagement in nuclear cooperation.
The Board of Governors is one of the IAEA’s principal decision-making bodies and plays a key role in shaping global nuclear policy. It is responsible for setting strategic priorities, approving agency programs and budgets, authorizing safety standards and making recommendations to the IAEA General Conference. Morocco’s vice-presidential role therefore places the country in a central position to contribute to discussions on nuclear safety, technological cooperation and peaceful nuclear applications.
The development also builds on a longstanding partnership between Morocco and the IAEA in areas such as nuclear science, environmental monitoring and industrial technology. In 2024, the agency and Morocco’s National Centre for Nuclear Energy Science and Technology (CNESTEN) signed a renewed cooperation agreement to implement two major work plans extending through 2029.
The first work plan focuses on expanding the use of isotope hydrology tools for water resource management and environmental monitoring. The initiative includes collaboration with international networks such as the Global Network of Isotopes in Precipitation (GNIP) and the Global Water Analysis Laboratory (GloWAL). Through the program, CNESTEN provides training in isotope analysis, geochemical methods and environmental monitoring techniques, while also offering laboratory services for IAEA technical cooperation projects across Africa and the Middle East.
The second work plan focuses on supporting countries in deploying peaceful nuclear and isotopic applications in industrial environments. These include technologies widely used in industrial diagnostics and process optimization, such as non-destructive testing, radiotracers and sealed-source inspection tools. The initiative aims to strengthen regional capabilities for safer industrial operations, improved process monitoring and enhanced infrastructure integrity.
Operating under Morocco’s Ministry of Energy Transition and Sustainable Development, CNESTEN has emerged as a key regional hub for nuclear science and industrial technology. The center is recognized as a Regional Center of Excellence under the African Regional Cooperative Agreement for Research Development and Training related to Nuclear Science and Technology (AFRA) framework.
In addition, CNESTEN serves as a training and certification center for non-destructive testing under the Moroccan Confederation of Non-Destructive Testing, supporting the development of skilled inspection professionals and strengthening quality assurance practices across critical industries.
Morocco’s active participation at the IAEA Board of Governors meeting highlights its growing influence in shaping international collaboration around nuclear technology while also advancing industrial applications such as NDT that support infrastructure safety, energy development and sustainable economic growth.
