6th Meeting of FNRBA in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt

April 13th, 2015 — 

From 28 to 30 April, 2015, John Kinneman of AdSTM attended the 6th Meeting of the Forum of Nuclear Regulatory Bodies in Africa (FNRBA) in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt. The Egyptian Nuclear & Radiological Regulatory Authority (ENRRA) made the logistical arrangements; the meeting was supported by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA); a representative of the African Union Commission attended and actively participated. The current elected Chairman of the FNRBA, Dr. Augustin Simo, General Manager of the National Radiation Protection Agency in Cameroon lead the meeting with active participation from other attendees. Thirteen African nations (Cameroon, Egypt, Chad, Mali, Mauritania, Morocco, Nigeria, Senegal, Seychelles, Sudan, Uganda, Zimbabwe) were represented. The group focused on current activities in the various countries, revising the current document defining the organization to improve their operations, development of an action plan for the thematic working groups which are part of the organization and carry out much of the actual work and preparation for future meetings. The purpose of FNRBA is to be instrumental to the enhancement, strengthening and harmonization of the radiation protection, nuclear safety and security regulatory infrastructure and framework among its members. That purpose was evident throughout the meeting.