The 4th Africa Youth Summit was launched yesterday at the Kenyatta International Conference Centre.
The Summit will see over 2500 youth across the continent come together to explore the potential and promises of nuclear science and technology for economic sustainability, reliable and low carbon electricity generation for the future.
During the launch, organizers challenged the youth in Africa to join the push for safe and secure application of nuclear technologies and further called on relevant stakeholders to ensure adequate resources and political goodwill as the continent expands its nuclear agenda.
Speaking at the event, Nuclear Power and Energy Agency, Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Justus Wabuyabu, stated that Kenya has made significant steps in the implementation of the nuclear power programme, as it has carried out pre-feasibility studies on the nuclear power programme.
He added that the country also enacted the Nuclear Regulatory Act of 2019, which established to put in place an independent nuclear regulatory body, Kenya Nuclear Regulatory Authority (KNRA).
“The focus being on human capital, workforce, development, education, training, public participation and acceptance with the goal to attain high standards and practices, in nuclear safety, security, safeguards and non-proliferation,” he added.
At the same time, Kenya Nuclear Regulatory Authority (KNRA), Director General (DG), James Keter, noted that, “We must now arise and change the narrative of nuclear power from that of war and annihilation to progress and peaceful utilization.” He also urged other Africa nuclear players to roll-up their sleeves and support the development and harmonization of nuclear policies, laws and regulations across the continent.
Mr. Enobot Agborau, the Executive Secretary of the African Commission on Nuclear Energy, Nuclear Power and Energy Agency(NuPEA) urged African youth to proactively take part in policy decisions in their countries that will lead to conversations around nuclear technology as a means of addressing some of the continent’s age-old challenges such as energy deficits.
“The youth should build on the foundations built today and the legacy of the past. Nuclear will no doubt help expedite the search for solutions to many teething problems,” he added.
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