Zimbabwe Joins International Efforts for Safe Nuclear Technology Use
In a significant move towards ensuring safe nuclear technology use, Zimbabwe has recently deposited six instruments on behalf of the country, including the instrument of accession to the Vienna Convention on Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage. This convention aims to establish minimum standards to provide financial protection against damage resulting from certain peaceful uses of nuclear energy.
Zimbabwe has also deposited instruments of accession to the Joint Protocol Relating to the Application of the Vienna Convention and the Paris Convention, as well as the Protocol to Amend the Vienna Convention on Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage. The Joint Protocol aims to establish treaty relations between the two conventions and eliminate conflicts that may arise from their simultaneous application to the same nuclear incident.
During the event, Zimbabwe also acceded to the Convention on Nuclear Safety and accepted the Amendment to the Convention on the Physical Protection of Nuclear Material. Additionally, Zimbabwe has agreed to the Agreement on the Privileges and Immunities of the International Atomic Energy Agency, which grants immunity to the agency and its assets from legal processes.
Zimbabwe, which utilizes nuclear technologies in various sectors such as health, agriculture, and research, had previously committed to four more multilateral treaties in nuclear safety and security at the Treaty Event during the IAEA’s 65th regular session of the General Conference in 2021.
The Treaty Event, convened annually by the IAEA’s Office of Legal Affairs, aims to promote universal adherence to important multilateral treaties related to nuclear energy and provides an opportunity for member states to deposit instruments of ratification, acceptance, approval, or accession.
