Burkina faso: The Burkinabe Atomic Energy Agency (ABEA) in partnership with the African Society of Nuclear Law (SADN) organized a public conference in Ouagadougou on Wednesday aimed at promoting a better understanding of nuclear law and inspiring vocations among students, AIB observed.
According to Burkina Information Agency, the Director General of ABEA, Dr. Harouna Sawadogo, highlighted that the development of peaceful applications of atomic energy necessarily requires mastery of the legal framework governing this specific field. "The sector is governed by international commitments and national regulations. It is therefore essential that professionals and future professionals familiarize themselves with these rules in order to ensure compliance with the country's commitments," he said.
He emphasized that, although nuclear science is based on universal knowledge, its application requires strict adherence to well-established legal standards. "This conference aims to equip stakeholders with the knowledge of the specificities of nuclear law as applied to this science," he added.
The meeting featured two main presentations. The first focused on terminology specific to the nuclear field. According to Dr. Jean Augustin Somda, this presentation emphasized the need to master specific concepts and terminology in order to use them effectively in professional practice.
The second presentation offered an introduction to nuclear law, addressing its sources, areas of application, and the roles and responsibilities of the various stakeholders. "The aim is to enable students and legal professionals to understand the foundations of this law so they can contribute to building a coherent legal framework conducive to the implementation of development projects," explained Dr. Somda.
He also noted that nuclear law differs from common law in its exceptional nature, particularly due to the requirement for authorizations at each stage of nuclear-related activities. "Unlike common law, where everything that is not prohibited is permitted, in nuclear law, every activity requires prior authorization," he clarified.
For the organizers, this initiative represents an opportunity to inspire vocations and encourage the production of academic work in this still relatively unexplored field in Burkina Faso. "We hope this momentum will lead to the training of a significant number of legal professionals capable of supporting decision-makers in this strategic sector," concluded Dr. Somda.
The conference, held both in person and online, focused on the theme: 'Nuclear Law: Challenges, Responsibilities, and Opportunities for Burkina Faso.'