Nuclear Science and Technology

The desired outcome of a nuclear science and technology programme is to ensure that it makes a larger, safe, beneficial and sustainable contribution to some of the priority areas identified in the National Development Plans. Therefore a broad policy and strategic framework is necessary to stimulate and facilitate the integration and sustainable use of nuclear technology in national developmental programmes.

Therefore the Nuclear Science and Technology (NST) policy was developed to compliment National Development Plans (NDPs), in terms of NST‘s contributions to developmental priorities. The policy seeks to:

• Address the existing policy gaps as described above, and
• Facilitate the development of national capacity to conduct research, development and innovation in all nuclear science and technology disciplines within the framework of our national development priorities. Both these two objectives cut across diverse fields of application of nuclear science and technology and therefore their achievement will strengthen ou capability for collaboration and networking.

Country Programme Framework (CPF) presents the frame of reference for planning of technical cooperation between the Republic of Namibia and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) for the period of five or six years. The preparation of this document is done with a collaborative effort between the national sectoral team and personnel of the IAEA. The document identifies sector priorities for socio-economic development and provides a basis for the design and formulation of technically sound projects to address country development objectives. These priorities, contributing to the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and attainment of national development goals under National Development Plans (NDPs) and national sector strategies and policies relevant to the TC programme.

For  instance, for the past years  IAEA TC programme has made immense contribution to the following developmental priorities: Nuclear and Radiation Safety, Food and Agriculture, Human Health, Energy Planning, Water Resources Management, Marine and Coastal Environment, Education & Training, to mention a few.

The Authority is also responsible for developing and implementing systems to facilitate compliance with obligations of Namibia under international agreements and cooperation on nuclear energy, nuclear weapons/materials with respect to safety and security of nuclear materials and protection against harmful effects of radiation. Namibia is party to the following International Legal Instruments and Agreements.