ABOUT THE AGENCY
(Source: IAEA)The IAEA Secretariat is headquartered at the Vienna International Centre in Vienna, Austria. Operational liaison and regional offices are located in Geneva, Switzerland; New York, USA; Toronto, Canada; and Tokyo, Japan. The IAEA runs or supports research centers and scientific laboratories in Vienna and Seibersdorf, Austria; Monaco; and Trieste, Italy.
The IAEA Secretariat is a team of 2300 multi-disciplinary professional and support staff from more than 100 countries. The Agency is led by Director General Yukiya Amano and six Deputy Directors General who head the major departments.
IAEA programmes and budgets are set through decisions of its policymaking bodies - the 35-member Board of Governors and the General Conference of all Member States. Reports on IAEA activities are submitted periodically or as cases warrant to the UN Security Council and UN General Assembly.
IAEA financial resources include the regular budget and voluntary contributions. The annual regular budget is set by the General Conference, as well as extradbudgetary funds and voluntary contributions to the Technical Co-operation Fund.
As an independent international organization related to the United Nations system, the IAEA´s relationship with the UN is regulated by special agreement. In terms of its Statute, the IAEA reports annually to the UN General Assembly and, when appropriate, to the Security Council regarding non-compliance by States with their safeguards obligations as well as on matters relating to international peace and security.
The IAEA has 154 member states, including most UN members and the Holy See. Two states have withdrawn from the IAEA in the agency's history: North Korea was a member state from 1974–1994, but withdrew after the Board of Governors found it Pyongyang in non-compliance. Cambodia became a member in 1958, withdrew its membership in 2003, and rejoined in 2009.
The IAEA and its former director general, Mohamed ElBaradei, were jointly awarded the Nobel Peace Prize on Oct. 7, 2005.
On July 2, 2009, Yukiya Amano of Japan was elected as the director general for the IAEA.
ABOUT ITS WORK
The IAEA has three stated missions: Promoting the peaceful uses of nuclear energy by its member states; implementing safeguards to verify that nuclear energy is not used for military purposes; and promoting high standards for nuclear safety. From the IAEA on its different departments:
The Department of Nuclear Sciences and Applications (NA) is responsible for the implementation of the IAEA’s Major Programme 2 on Nuclear Techniques for Development and Environmental Protection. Key areas identified by the 2002 Johannesburg World Summit on Sustainable Development (WSSD) drive the programme: Water, Energy, Health, Agriculture and Biodiversity, known as the WEHAB topics.
The Nuclear Energy Department fosters the efficient and safe use of nuclear power by supporting existing and new nuclear programmes around the world, catalyzing innovation and building indigenous capability in energy planning, analysis, and nuclear information and knowledge.
The Nuclear Safety and Security Department provide a system of fundamental safety principles, safety requirements, and safety guides. They reflect an international consensus on what constitutes a high level of safety for protecting people and the environment from harmful effects of ionizing radiation.
The Department of Safeguard's primary role is to deter the proliferation of nuclear weapons by detecting early the misuse of nuclear material or technology, and by providing credible assurances that States are honouring their safeguards obligations. The Department also contributes to nuclear arms control and disarmament, by responding to requests for verification and other technical assistance associated with related agreements and arrangements.
The IAEA Technical Cooperation Program is the main mechanism through which the IAEA delivers services to its Member States. Through the programme, the IAEA helps Member States to build, strengthen and maintain capacities in the safe, peaceful and secure use of nuclear technology in support of sustainable socioeconomic development.