Africa Moves Towards Unified Emergency Preparedness and Response Framework
The regional meeting on the development of a roadmap for emergency preparedness and response in Africa concluded in Lusaka today, following three days of strategic discussions.
Held at the Urban Hotel from 5–8 August 2025, the meeting brought together participants from across Africa and beyond to chart a coordinated approach to managing radiological and nuclear emergencies.
Speaking at the closing session, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Technology and Science, Eng. Dr Brilliant Habeenzu, commended delegates for their contributions and thanked the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) for its continued support.
He also acknowledged the role of the Radiation Protection Authority of Zambia in organising the event.
Dr Habeenzu noted that the growing use of nuclear science and technology in medicine, industry, agriculture and energy made it essential for African nations to develop robust and harmonised emergency preparedness and response mechanisms.
He stressed that radiological and nuclear incidents often transcend national borders, making regional cooperation crucial.
“Emergency preparedness is not just a national responsibility; it is a regional imperative,” he said, adding that the meeting represented an important step towards a sustainable, continent-wide framework to safeguard people, workers and the environment.
Zambia, he affirmed, is committed to integrated emergency response systems, backed by regulatory oversight, early warning mechanisms and trained response teams.
He pledged continued investment in infrastructure and human capacity to manage nuclear and radiological risks, in line with IAEA safety standards and international health regulations.
Delegates agreed that the meeting’s outcomes will help build a stronger, unified African approach to emergency preparedness and response, ensuring that no member state is left behind.
