Opening Address [6. International Symposium on Naturally Occurring Radioactive Material (NORM VI), Marrakesh (Morocco), 22-26 March 2010]

Full text: On behalf of the National Organizing Committee, good morning and thanks a lot for coming. The convening of this conference in Marrakesh constitutes, without doubt, a further step towards the promotion of scientific research and development in the field of NORM activities as well as furthering the aim of improving their radiation safety aspects. It is obvious that the main objective of this gathering is how to strengthen and improve protection of humans and the environment and likewise to ensure sustainable development through the utilization of NORM. Ladies and gentlemen, our country Morocco is launching many action plans for economic and social development. Therefore, the convening of this Conference responds to this strategic interest. Morocco is committed to the achievement of comprehensive and sustainable development of the legal and regulatory framework for the protection of humans and the environment. Ladies and gentlemen, as stated by the organizers - the Steering Committee and the National Organizing Committee - and given the findings of NORM V held in Seville, the objectives of this NORM VI symposium are to provide a forum for debate between the scientific, technical and regulatory communities involved in NORM issues. It gives the opportunity to present and discuss recent studies and work achieved, to share results and experience and to identify future needs and challenges. With your involvement, we expect that this symposium, like previous symposia in this series, will lead to increased harmonization of regulatory approaches and the wider application of international standards, especially with regard to discussion of the draft version of the revised BSS (IAEA Safety Series No. 115) as proposed by the IAEA and the other cosponsors. I would also like to take this opportunity, ladies and gentlemen, to express my appreciation to the Steering Committee and the Scientific Committee for their involvement and their valuable help and expertise in preparing for this event and to the IAEA for their assistance and cooperation in contributing to the success of this meeting. But let me tell you that the main contribution to this success comes from your attendance and your high standard of participation; So our thanks go as well to all the participants who came from different and remote parts of the world, extending to you a warm welcome and wishing you a pleasant stay in our country and in the fascinating city of Marrakesh. My thanks go also to our partner and official sponsor, the OCP group. Thank you, ladies and gentlemen. (author)