Gabon’s nuclear waste management practices demand urgent attention as they have far-reaching consequences for both the present and future generations. The byproducts of nuclear power generation, such as spent fuel rods and radioactive materials, are highly dangerous and must be carefully managed in order to protect human health and the environment. While radioactive substances have significant benefits and are becoming indispensable in various areas – from energetics to medicine, the waste produced requires accurate handling to reduce the impact on public health and the environment. According to World Nuclear Association, more than 390,000 tons of waste have been made since the use of nuclear power began. The International Atomic Energy Agency’s (IAEA) standards are necessary for safe waste management. Efforts in this direction are critical to achieving the global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 3, Good Health and Well-Being, SDG 7, Affordable and Clean Energy, and SDG 13, Climate Action. The problem lies in the fact that finding safe and effective ways to store and dispose of nuclear waste materials can be difficult and costly and poses a challenge to developing nations.
The issue of nuclear waste management is regulated by the periodically updated IAEA Safety Standards. On an international level, to prevent waste use in weapons creation, the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons was adopted in 1968. This document aimed to reach full disarmament by stopping the spread of nuclear technology and weapons and promoting the peaceful use of atomic energy, as well as worldwide collaboration. The Convention on the Physical Protection of Nuclear Material The Convention on the Physical Protection of Nuclear Material was signed in response to concerns about the theft and illicit trafficking of nuclear materials, particularly in the emerging threat of nuclear terrorism. Furthermore, the Convention on Assistance in the Case of a Nuclear Accident or Radiological Emergency from 2008 was designed to enhance international cooperation and coordination in responding to nuclear accidents or radiological emergencies. At the regional level, the African Continent contributes to nuclear waste management and its non-proliferation through the African Commission on Nuclear Energy (AFCONE) activities. Furthermore, the Treaty of Pelindaba was signed in 1996 to ensure the creation of a zone on the continent that would be free from nuclear weapons. It aimed to prevent organizations from producing, developing, testing, possessing, and using nuclear weapons in Africa. On a national level, the Gabonese Republic became a member of the IAEA in 1964 and still supports the organization’s activities in its nuclear waste management efforts. In 1970, the republic signed an Agreement for the Application of Safeguards in Connection with the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT), which entered into force in 2010. The purpose of this safeguards agreement was to ensure that states that are party to the NPT do not divert nuclear materials from peaceful uses to the development of nuclear weapons. Under the agreement, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) is responsible for verifying that nuclear material and facilities in non-nuclear-weapon states are not used for military purposes through inspections and other verification measures. Moreover, in 2010, the President of the Gabonese Republic also signed a decree establishing the Gabonese Nuclear Safety and Security Agency (AGSSN) to ensure the safe and secure use of nuclear materials and radiation sources in Gabon. In addition, in 2011, the Country Program Framework (CPF) was adopted, following which nuclear resources should be directed to the development of the Gabonese Republic. The CPF serves as a planning and coordination tool for the IAEA and the member state, identifying priority areas for cooperation and the specific activities and projects that will be carried out to achieve the objectives outlined in the framework.
The Gabonese Republic recognizes the importance of using nuclear resources for peaceful purposes and believes that this purpose requires establishing transparent international cooperation between states based on trust. The development of the country’s potential will contribute to its industrialization and strengthen a more significant contribution to the solution of the nuclear waste issue. In this regard, the Republic of Gabon proposes the establishment of an IAEA-supported regional atomic waste management facility in Central Africa. This facility would provide a safe and secure repository for the nuclear waste generated by various regional atomic applications. This deep geological repository policy will be developed with high safety and security standards and strict adherence to the International Atomic Energy Agency’s regulations and guidelines. This initiative will assist Gabon and the surrounding countries in managing their nuclear waste and promote the peaceful and safe utilization of nuclear technology in the region. It will ensure that the waste generated by atomic applications is handled and stored safely, preventing any possible harm to people, the environment, and future generations.
The proposed facility will be established through the collaborative efforts of the IAEA and the governments of Central African countries. This project has the potential to significantly contribute to the region’s sustainable development, technological advancement, and promotion of peaceful uses of nuclear technology.