In collaboration with the National Assembly of The Gambia, and with the kind support from Global Affairs Canada, PGA’s International Peace and Security Program organized a National Parliamentary Session on July 31, 2023. This event aimed at engaging parliamentarians in promoting nuclear and radiological security in The Gambia.

One of the primary objectives of the workshop was to raise awareness about the International Convention for the Suppression of Acts of Nuclear Terrorism (ICSANT), the Convention on the Physical Protection of Nuclear Material (CPPNM), and its Amendment. It is noteworthy that The Gambia is not yet a State Party to ICSANT, CPPNM and CPPNM/A. Approximately 18 members of the National Assembly, including the Deputy Speaker Seedy SK Njie, who also serves as the Chairperson of the Defence and Security Committee, and members of the minority at the National Assembly, actively participated in this PGA-organized event.

The participants benefitted from two in-depth presentations delivered by experts from the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and the African Center for Science and International Security (AFRICSIS). The experts elucidated the main provisions of the ICSANT and the numerous benefits of adherence to this essential international treaty.

Mr. Florian Delsert, Program Associate at PGA’s International Peace and Security Program, also delivered a presentation on the disproportionate impact of nuclear and radiological weapons and materials on women in non-fatal instances, introducing participants also to the CPPNM and its Amendment.

These presentations were followed by a question-and-answer session, during which several parliamentarians asked questions, sought clarifications, and requested reassurances concerning the three international treaties.

PGA's International Peace and Security Program held a bilateral meeting with Deputy Speaker Seedy SK Njie. This meeting focused on nuclear and radiological security, in particular the numerous benefits of joining ICSANT, CPPNM, and its Amendment. The dialogue also aimed at strengthening future collaboration between the National Assembly of The Gambia and PGA.

The workshop concluded with the identification of several potential Action Points aimed at facilitating further discussions and decisions among the participants.