Regional Workshop to develop a Road Map for building a National Security Detection Architecture

(NSDA) for material out of regulatory control (MORC)

(20^th to 24^th June, 2022 at the Berjaya Hotel)

The Ministry of Employment and Social Affairs in collaboration with the International Atomic Energy Agency hosted a regional workshop with the participation of four countries which are Mauritius, Central African Republic, Seychelles and the Democratic of Congo.

The objectives of the event were to sensitize member states on the importance of having a national security detection architecture for material out of regulatory control and to also develop a road map for detecting these sources.

The IAEA defines nuclear security as the means and ways of preventing, detecting and responding to sabotages, theft and unauthorized access to or illegal transfer of nuclear security and other radioactive substances, as well as their associated facilities and practices. The possibility that nuclear and/or other radioactive material could be used for malicious purposes cannot be ruled out in the current global situation. The risks posed by these sources can have an adverse effect on human life and the environment. It is therefore the responsibility of each state to provide for the security of these sources across its borders.

The IAEA support countries in the implementation of security measures and this workshop is just phase one in the implementation process. During the five-day workshop, the participants learned and discussed on the roles and responsibilities of the stakeholders, evaluated existing national capacity and existing resources and made proposals based on the gaps identified. The IAEA experts shared their experiences in the development of an effective and efficient border control strategies, as well as the strengths and weakness in their national capacities to prevent material out of regulatory control being smuggled across land and sea borders. They shared success stories and highlighted the support provided by the IAEA and other international partners.

On the last day of the workshop, the countries developed and presented their road maps. The experts encouraged the participants to present their road maps to their respectful leaders once the workshop was completed, for further implementation.

The event concluded, with certificate presentation by the Honorable Vice President Mr. Ahmed Afif and Mr. Maxandre Pauron (IAEA Expert). Overall, the participants expressed their satisfaction with the workshop as a learning opportunity and acquiring the necessary tools to develop an effective national security detection architecture.