From July 21 to August 2, 2024, AFCONE participated in the Second Preparatory Committee (PrepCom) for the 2026 Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) Review Conference in Geneva, Switzerland. This gathering served as a pivotal opportunity for state parties, international organizations, civil society, NGOs, and other stakeholders to assess the NPT’s progress, highlight challenges, and propose recommendations ahead of the 2026 Review Conference. The African Commission on Nuclear Energy (AFCONE) attended with a firm mandate to emphasize the unique contributions and perspectives of the African Nuclear-Weapon-Free Zone (ANWFZ), as established under the Treaty of Pelindaba.
In an impactful statement delivered by Enobot Agboraw, Executive Secretary of AFCONE, Africa’s dedication to nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation was underscored. The Executive Secretary reaffirmed AFCONE’s commitment to the three pillars of the NPT: disarmament, non-proliferation, and the peaceful use of nuclear technology. He conveyed Africa’s ongoing efforts to strengthen international peace and security through these pillars, while also calling Nuclear Weapon States to provide binding Negative Security Assurances to all Nuclear-Weapon Free Zones (NWFZ).
The Executive Secretary also emphasized the role of NWFZs as influential actors in advancing the global nuclear non-proliferation regime, highlighting that these zones collectively encompass over 40 percent of the world’s population.
AFCONE policy adviser, Dr Olamide Samuel further championed Africa’s regional priorities in his contributions, which included co-hosting a side event on July 24. Speaking on behalf of AFCONE, he highlighted the potential of nuclear energy to drive sustainable development in Africa, especially within the framework of the African Union’s Agenda 2063 and the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
On 30 July 2024, AFCONE in collaboration with the Radiation and Nuclear Safety Authority of Finland (STUK), organized a side event in the margin of the PrepCom, to share the experience of AFCONE, EU and Finland working together on their five-year capacity building partnership, designed to support African nations in building and sustaining technical and regulatory capacity in safeguards. This programme aligns with Africa’s ambitions to balance non-proliferation obligations with the continent’s energy and development needs.
AFCONE’s presence at the PrepCom reinforced Africa’s steadfast role in the NPT process and reiterated its readiness to engage in multilateral collaborations that will further promote the peaceful uses of nuclear energy while advancing global disarmament and non-proliferation goals. This meeting in Geneva affirmed AFCONE’s leadership and coordination role in ensuring African voices, perspectives and priorities remain integral in shaping nuclear policy, as all states prepare for the 2026 NPT Review Conference.
Click on links below to AFCONE’s reports on the NPT RevCom:
