LOME, May 7 (Xinhua) -- Togo's Council of Ministers has adopted a draft law authorizing the country's accession to an international nuclear safety convention, marking a significant step in strengthening the legal framework for the peaceful and secure use of nuclear energy.
According to a government statement, the cabinet on Wednesday approved the accession to the Joint Convention on the Safety of Spent Fuel Management and on the Safety of Radioactive Waste Management.
This international legal instrument aligns with Togo's national policy of ensuring the safe, secure, and peaceful application of nuclear technology, the statement said.
The joint convention, adopted in Vienna on Sept. 5, 1997, is designed to establish and maintain rigorous safety standards for radioactive waste management worldwide while preventing radiological accidents, it added.
By joining the convention, Togo will gain access to international technical cooperation and enhance its capacity to monitor and mitigate risks associated with the trafficking of nuclear waste within its borders, the statement said.
Furthermore, the accession process aims to reinforce Togo's domestic legal framework on nuclear safety and expand its access to international cooperation mechanisms and specialized financing, it added.
Faure Essozimna Gnassingbe, president of the Council of Ministers, has called for a comprehensive assessment of the specific risks facing the country. This assessment is intended to facilitate the drafting and adoption of further legislative and regulatory measures to ensure robust oversight. ■