LOMÉ — On Tuesday, June 9, 2026, Togo’s National Assembly adopted four critical laws to bolster nuclear safety and radiological risk management. The landmark decision, reached during the third plenary session of the first ordinary session of the year, aligns the country’s legal framework with international standards.
The session, chaired by National Assembly President Prof. Komi Selom Klassou, welcomed Robert Koffi Messan Eklo, the Minister of Energy. Lawmakers approved four international conventions in their first reading: the Nuclear Safety Convention (Vienna, 1994), the Joint Convention on the Safety of Spent Fuel and Radioactive Waste Management (1997), the Convention on Early Notification of a Nuclear Accident (1986), and the Convention on Assistance in the Case of a Nuclear Accident or Radiological Emergency (1986).
Multilateral commitments to safeguard people and the environment
The adoption of these conventions underscores Togo’s commitment to protecting its population, infrastructure, and ecosystem from nuclear hazards. While nuclear technologies—such as radiation therapy in healthcare, radiation-based soil analysis in agriculture, and industrial sterilization—offer transformative benefits, they also demand strict regulatory oversight to prevent contamination and mitigate risks.
«Nuclear energy is an essential component of modern development, powering electricity grids, advancing medical diagnostics, and driving industrial growth,» emphasized Aklesso Atcholi, President of the ruling party UNIR. «Yet its potential must be harnessed responsibly. These conventions ensure that Togo is equipped not only to prevent accidents but also to respond effectively if they occur.»
A vision of shared responsibility in nuclear governance
Lawmakers framed this legislative push as a cornerstone of regional and global security. «The lessons of Chernobyl remind us that nuclear risks transcend borders,» stated Prof. Klassou. «No nation can confront such threats in isolation. By ratifying these conventions, Togo reaffirms its role as a responsible actor in the international community, ready to collaborate in real time during emergencies.»
The Minister of Energy echoed this sentiment: «Togo is not just embracing the promise of nuclear technology—it is committing to the highest standards of safety. This sends a clear message: we are a nation that prioritizes both progress and protection.»
The four bills will now proceed to the Senate for review in identical terms. Once approved and signed into law, Togo will finalize a structural transformation that binds technological advancement to public safety without compromise.
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