On 18th June, 2024, and with the kind support of the Weapons Threat Reduction Program (WTRP) of Global Affairs Canada (GAC WTRP), PGA's International Peace and Security Program (IPSP) organized a National Workshop on Promoting Nuclear and Radiological Security in Dodoma, Tanzania.

While Tanzania is already a State Party to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT) as well as the Convention on the Physical Protection of Nuclear Material (CPPNM), to date action is still pending with respect to several other crucial international conventions and treaties which regulate nuclear and radiological security, notably the International Convention for the Suppression of Acts of Nuclear Terrorism (ICSANT) as well as the Amendment to the Convention on the Physical Protection of Nuclear Material (A/CPPNM). 

Opened with Welcome Remarks from long-time PGA Member, Hon. Jasson Rweikiza, MP, this Workshop was convened in order to provide a space for 10 Members of Parliament from Tanzania to improve their knowledge and understanding of nuclear and radiological security, in particular the importance and benefits of adherence to key international treaties regulating this field. 

With a Keynote Address by PGA Member, the Hon. Dr. Pindi Chana, MP, Minister for Constitutional and Legal Affairs of Tanzania, in which she highlighted the many reasons why Tanzanian MPs should become more engaged in this arena at the national level, this Workshop also allowed for an opportunity for participants to receive several in-depth presentations from experts from both the African Center for Science and International Security (AFRICSIS) as well as from the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC). 

The gender differentiated impact of the use of nuclear and radiological weapons, or release of nuclear or radiological material, specifically the disproportionately adverse impact of such actions on women, was also highlighted in a presentation made by PGA during the course of the event. Five female legislators participated in this Workshop. 

Prior to conclusion of this Workshop, a number of potential points of action were identified for subsequent follow-up by participants to promote the objectives of this event. In the months ahead, PGA will continue to stay in contact with participants with a view to facilitating subsequent initiative-taking in furtherance of the objectives of this Workshop.

PGA is very grateful to Hon. Jasson Rweikiza, MP for his assistance in convening this Workshop in Tanzania as well as to the Weapons Threat Reduction Program of Global Affairs Canada for their kind funding support, without which it would not have been possible to organize this successful event.