In collaboration with the National Assembly of Cameroon and with the kind support from Global Affairs Canada, the International Peace and Security Program of Parliamentarians for Global Action (PGA) organized a National Parliamentary Session on November 15, 2023, in Yaoundé, Cameroon.
One of the primary objectives of the session was to raise awareness about the International Convention for the Suppression of Acts of Nuclear Terrorism (ICSANT). It is important to note that Cameroon is not yet a State Party to ICSANT. The session saw the participation of 32 prominent members of the National Assembly, including the Hon. Mary Muyali Meboka, Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly, who delivered Keynote Remarks. The session also included welcome remarks by members of the PGA National Group in Cameroon, Hon. Agho Oliver Bamenju and Hon. Marguerite Dissake, as well as a general introduction and overview by Mr. Peter Barcroft, Senior Director of the PGA International Peace and Security Program. The participants benefited from an in-depth virtual presentation delivered by Mr. Martin Reggi, Programme Officer from the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), who provided a detailed elucidation of the main provisions of ICSANT. Additionally, Mr. Peter Barcroft, Senior Director of the PGA International Peace and Security Program, delivered a presentation on the disproportionate impact of nuclear and radiological weapons and materials on women in non-fatal instances. This was followed by an interactive dialogue, including a question-and-answer session, which enabled several parliamentarians to seek clarifications and express their views on ICSANT.
The workshop concluded with the preparation and discussion of a Plan of Action. This plan outlined potential steps for further discussions and decisions among participants, focusing on promoting accession to ICSANT in Cameroon. At the conclusion of the session, participants indicated a firm commitment to encourage the Government of Cameroon to accede to ICSANT in the near future.
