International Atomic Energy Agency

International Atomic Energy Agency Logo

Vienna International Center

International policy system radiological protection

IAEA Expert Mission (02011232) (52318506586)

IAEA's plant breeding Unit Seibersdorf 04 (7554674346)

058R31250879 Tag der offenen Tür in der UNO City

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) is an international organization that seeks to promote the peaceful use of nuclear energy, and to inhibit its use for any military purpose, including nuclear weapons. The IAEA was established as an autonomous organization on 29 July 1957. The IAEA's headquarters are in Vienna, Austria. The IAEA has two "Regional Safeguards Offices" which are located in Toronto, Canada, and in Tokyo, Japan. The IAEA also has liaison offices in New York City, United States, and in Geneva, Switzerland.

History

The IAEA was created in response to the deep fears and expectations resulting from the discovery of nuclear energy and its diverse uses, both peaceful and military. The ideas for the IAEA were initially set out in a speech by U.S. President Dwight D. Eisenhower to the United Nations General Assembly on 8 December 1953, known as the "Atoms for Peace" speech.

Mission

The IAEA's mission is guided by the interests and needs of Member States, strategic plans, and the vision embodied in the IAEA Statute. Three main pillars underpin the IAEA's work: nuclear verification and security, safety and security, and science and technology.

Nuclear Verification and Security

The IAEA is responsible for verifying that states comply with their commitments under the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) to use nuclear material and technology only for peaceful purposes. The IAEA conducts regular inspections of nuclear facilities to ensure that nuclear materials are not diverted to military use.

Safety and Security

The IAEA works to protect people and the environment from harmful radiation exposure. It sets international safety standards and provides guidance and support to countries to help them implement these standards. The IAEA also assists in the development of national nuclear security regimes to protect nuclear and other radioactive material from theft, sabotage, and other malicious acts.

Science and Technology

The IAEA promotes the use of nuclear science and technology to address major global challenges, such as healthcare, agriculture, water management, and environmental protection. It provides technical cooperation and capacity-building support to Member States to help them benefit from nuclear technology.

Structure

The IAEA is composed of three main bodies: the Board of Governors, the General Conference, and the Secretariat.

Board of Governors

The Board of Governors is one of the two policy-making bodies of the IAEA. It is responsible for making most of the policy decisions of the IAEA. The Board meets five times a year and consists of 35 Member States.

General Conference

The General Conference is composed of all Member States of the IAEA. It meets annually to consider and approve the IAEA's budget and to discuss other issues related to the IAEA's work.

Secretariat

The Secretariat is responsible for implementing the IAEA's programs and policies as directed by the Board of Governors and the General Conference. It is headed by the Director General, who is appointed by the Board of Governors and approved by the General Conference.

Membership

As of 2023, the IAEA has 175 Member States. Membership is open to any state, whether or not it is a member of the United Nations.

Related Pages

• Nuclear energy
• Nuclear weapon
• Atoms for Peace
• Non-Proliferation Treaty
• Vienna
• United Nations