Namibia moves to join Nuclear Suppliers Group

Namibia will apply to join the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG), Minister of Information and Communication Technology Emma Theofelus has said.

WINDHOEK, Aug. 9 (Xinhua) -- Namibia will apply to join the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG), Minister of Information and Communication Technology Emma Theofelus has said.

The Cabinet approved the move on Tuesday, the minister said Thursday.

The Ministry of International Relations and Trade will lead the application process, which includes updating the country's dossier and acting as the primary point, and establishing an interministerial committee tasked with implementing NSG guidelines, Theofelus said.

A ministerial delegation will engage with leaders of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and the NSG on the margins of the IAEA General Conference in Vienna, Austria, in September to advance Namibia's bid to join the Nuclear Suppliers Group, she said.

The Cabinet has authorized the Ministry of Industries, Mines and Energy to establish a national independent regulator and mechanisms of safeguards, safety, and security, Theofelus said.

The NSG is a group of 48 nuclear supplier countries that seeks to prevent the proliferation of nuclear weapons through the implementation of two sets of guidelines aimed at ensuring effective control over transfers of nuclear materials, equipment, and technologies, as well as nuclear-related dual-use items. ■