ASNR delegation participates in two international events in Pretoria (South Africa)
The European Instrument for Nuclear Safety Cooperation
The delegation led by Commissioner Jean-Luc Lachaume continued its work on the Europe-an Instrument for Nuclear Safety Cooperation from 24 to 31 October 2025 in Pretoria.
This European Commission project is being implemented by a consortium of experts for the benefit of six African countries: South Africa, Egypt, Ghana, Kenya, Morocco and Nigeria.
The project aims to provide expertise in nuclear safety and radiation protection to the bene-ficiary countries, with the objective of promoting a culture of safety and implementing high standards and practices on the African continent for the benefit of the public and the envi-ronment.
Jean-Luc Lachaume continued work on task 7 of the project relating to emergency prepared-ness and management in South Africa. The aim was to gain a better understanding of the ex-pectations of NNR, which is the safety authority for nuclear facilities, and SAHPRA (Minis-try of Health), which is the local nuclear authority.
The ASNR also continued work on task 6 of the project relating to crisis communication. The aim was to share international best practices in this area with beneficiary countries in order to promote clear, transparent and responsive information in radiological emergency situations.
The South African Safety Authority (NNR) Regulatory Information Conference
This conference was held in Pretoria on 28 and 29 October to mark the 25th anniversary of the NNR. It was attended by 300 people, mainly from the nuclear power sector. It provided an opportunity for the NNR to present updates on its various regulatory activities.
Mr Lachaume spoke at the opening of the conference, after the South African Minister of Energy. He reiterated the need for safety authorities to be transparent, credible and inde-pendent, not only in law but also in practice, through their technical mastery of the issues and the robustness of their decisions based on sound scientific facts, the best available knowledge and rigorous and contradictory decision-making processes. He also emphasised that safety and performance are not contradictory objectives but are mutually reinforcing.
