Rabat, March 25, 2025 – Dr. Leila Benali, Minister of Energy Transition and Sustainable Development, presided over the eighth session of the Board of Directors of the Moroccan Agency for Nuclear and Radiological Safety and Security (AMSSNuR).

In her address, the Minister emphasized the strategic role of AMSSNuR in strengthening nuclear and radiological safety and security, in alignment with the highest international standards. She highlighted the ongoing efforts to implement Law No. 142-12, which governs safety and security in these fields.

Since 2021, AMSSNuR has accelerated the adoption of regulatory texts, resulting in the publication of six regulations in the Official Bulletin, with four more pending approval. The year 2024 also marked a significant increase in authorization and inspection activities, with 2,658 authorizations issued—an average of 221 per month—representing a 25% increase compared to 2023. Additionally, 240 inspections were conducted, covering 850 facilities utilizing ionizing radiation sources in the health, agriculture, and industrial sectors.

On the international cooperation front, Minister Benali reaffirmed Morocco’s commitment to modernizing its regulatory framework. She praised the Integrated Regulatory Review Service (IRRS) mission hosted in November 2023, which provided 19 recommendations, six suggestions, and highlighted four good practices. The Minister also underscored the signing of a framework cooperation program with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) for the 2024-2029 period, with a budget of €3 million. This program aims to implement nine priority projects related to nuclear and radiological safety and security.

Furthermore, Mr. Saïd Mouline, Director General of AMSSNuR, presented the agency’s key achievements for 2023 and 2024, highlighting major progress in regulatory missions, particularly in authorization issuance, inspection, and monitoring. He also emphasized the strengthening of bilateral and multilateral relations, which led to the establishment of the African School of Regulatory Authorities in partnership with the IAEA. This initiative showcases AMSSNuR’s leadership at the continental level.

Additionally, the agency has intensified its cooperation with the European Commission and the Belgian Institute for Radioelements (IRE-Lab) to expand the national radiological monitoring network, named ELMARSAD. AMSSNuR has also strengthened its human resources development capacity by launching a training program to qualify highly skilled experts, ensuring the sustainability of expertise and the enhancement of regulatory oversight in nuclear and radiological safety and security.

The session featured constructive discussions among Board members, who unanimously commended the achievements and ambitions presented by Mr. Saïd Mouline. A consensus emerged on the need to maintain and expand support for the agency to further enhance its effectiveness and contribution to the country’s socio-economic policies.

In conclusion, Minister Leila Benali praised AMSSNuR’s remarkable performance, emphasizing its crucial role in the regulatory oversight of radiological applications and its contribution to strengthening nuclear and radiological safety and security.

This eighth Board of Directors session reflects the agency’s commitment to continuing its efforts to ensure the safe and sustainable development of the nuclear sector in Morocco.