The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)

Since the discovery of radioactivity in 1896 by Henri Becquerel, nuclear energy has raised hopes and concerns. Created in 1957, the International Atomic Energy Agency is at the heart of the regulation and promotion of nuclear technologies for peaceful purposes.

Its motto, “The atom for peace and development”, reveals its central role in the safe and ethical deployment of nuclear energy at the international level.

Who is the IAEA? What are its missions and activities? What challenges does the organization face today? Spotlight on the International Atomic Energy Agency, winner of the 2005 Nobel Peace Prize.

Who is the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)?

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) — or International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) — belongs to the large family of the United Nations to promote peace in the world. Its mission: promote the peaceful atom, control the military atom.

The International Atomic Energy Agency: a bit of history

The International Atomic Energy Agency was created in 1957, under the aegis of the UN (United Nations Organization). She is a response to the need to regulate the use of Nuclear energy, especially after the trauma caused by the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki in 1945.

It is the American President Eisenhower who, in his speeches The atom in the service of peace of 1953, paves the way for the creation of an international atomic energy agency. The main principles of his speech are included in the IAEA status, ratified in October 1956 by 81 countries.

Since its official creation on July 29, 1957, the IAEA has aimed at double objective: to promote the peaceful and safe use of nuclear energy and prevent its use for military purposes.

The International Atomic Energy Agency: organization

In 2023, the IAEA is composed of 177 member states. Independent organization at the heart of the United Nations system, it is led by:

• The General Conference of Member States : meeting once a year, the General Conference votes on the IAEA budget and program, discusses the strategy and approves memberships and changes in status.
• The Board of Governors : composed of 35 members, it oversees the activities of the IAEA, reviews its program and budget, and issues recommendations to the General Conference.

Under the authority of General manager, the Secretariat implements decisions. IAEA experts are spread over six departments in relation to their activities: administration and management, technical cooperation, nuclear energy, safety and nuclear safety, nuclear sciences and applications, control of international agreements.

This organization allows the IAEA to cover a wide range of areas related to nuclear energy, while maintaining in-depth expertise in each sector.

What is the role of the IAEA?

The IAEA's mission has been enshrined in its statute for 60 years. “The Agency strives to accelerate and increase the contribution of atomic energy to peace, health and prosperity around the world. It ensures (...) that the aid provided (...) is not used in such a way as to be used for military purposes.”

The control of international treaties and nuclear installations

One of the main activities of the IAEA is to guarantee international nuclear agreements. In particular, it ensures respect for Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT). Entered into force in 1970, the NPT promotes disarmament.

The areas of work based on the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty are:

• The safety and security of the nuclear fleet;
• Safeguards and verification of nuclear activities and installations;
• Promoting the peaceful use of nuclear science and technology.

At the level of each country, the agency relies on national safety authorities.

Through comprehensive safeguards agreements (AGG) and an additional protocol, it urges signatory countries that do not have atomic weapons to not use nuclear programs for military purposes.

The IAEA carries out verification and control inspections nuclear materials and installations in Member States to detect possible diversion of nuclear materials or abusive uses of nuclear technology at an early stage. The results are published in the annual report on the implementation of guarantees.

Nuclear safety and security control

The safety of nuclear installations and power plants, the safety of people and the protection of the environment are major concerns for the IAEA. The organization establishes international nuclear regulations.

Its safety standards and codes of conduct serve as foundations for national legislative and regulatory frameworks for nuclear safety. These requirements aim to ensure nuclear safety at all levels: safety of nuclear production, safety of management and treatment of radioactive waste, safety of transport of nuclear materials, safety of radiation protection.

The IAEA also offers Member States examination services and training to strengthen their nuclear safety and security capabilities and to prepare them for emergency situations.

Support for civil applications of nuclear energy

The IAEA encourages the peaceful exploitation of Nuclear energy in various fields such as medicine, agriculture, industry or environmental protection.

The agency provides technical expertise, training, and resources to help IAEA member states take advantage of the benefits of nuclear energy in a responsible manner.

Assistance to developing countries

The IAEA helps developing countries to exploit nuclear technologies to achieve their Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The IAEA technical cooperation program promotes technology transfer, knowledge sharing and partnerships between Member States. The organization's experts support the deployment of secure nuclear installations and power plants.

Coordinated nuclear research

The IAEA supports research to develop practical and peaceful applications of atomic energy.

The Agency encourages international collaboration in its specialized laboratories and via “coordinated research projects” (PARK). These relate to various fields, such as the establishment of networks and databases, the development of diagnostic and analysis tools, or the transfer of technologies.

The IAEA: some key figures

• Head office: Vienna (Austria)
• 1957: year of creation
• 177: number of member states in 2023
• 750.8 million euros (2024 budget) including 426.4 million euros for the regular budget and 127.2 million euros for the technical cooperation program.
• 2,500: number of civil servants
• 614: technical cooperation projects in progress in 2023
• 31: coordinated research projects in progress in 2023
• 19: number of laboratories in 2023

What are the challenges for the IAEA?

Nuclear technologies are asserting themselves as effective responses to current, social, energy and environmental challenges. In its 2024-2029 strategy, the International Atomic Energy Agency is organizing itself to continue to guarantee the peaceful, efficient, equitable and safe use of nuclear power, in an increasingly nuclear-armed world.

Ensuring nuclear safety and security

Faced with development issues, more and more countries are seduced by nuclear technologies. Geopolitical instability also raises concerns about malicious uses of atomic energy.

In this context, the IAEA is facing unique control and regulation challenges. In the years to come, the Agency must continue to strengthen its technical capabilities to protect countries and populations from rising risks to nuclear safety and security.

Adapting to technological advances

Rapid technological advances in the nuclear field, such as the rise of new generation reactors (SMR) and Theartificial intelligence, require increased vigilance on the part of the IAEA.

The Agency will have to anticipate these developments in order to maintain high safety and security standards. It will have to adapt to seize all the opportunities offered by these emerging technologies for a more sustainable world.

Facilitating access to nuclear technologies

Faced with climate, energy and social challenges, the IAEA expects in the coming years to demand increased assistance from its member states to develop nuclear uses.

Through its technical cooperation programme, the Agency will play a crucial role in facilitate the access of all its member countries to nuclear technologies and their sustainable use, and support the construction of secure installations and power plants.

Supporting the development of low-carbon energy

Nuclear energy is now a solution to reduce emissions of greenhouse gases and fight against climate change. In his speech at COP28, the director of the IAEA, Rafael Mariano Gossi, said: Net zero emissions “necessarily involves nuclear power.”

Sharing expertise, technology and resources between countries will be essential to maximize the global potential of a clean and secure low-carbon atomic energy. This is what the IAEA intends to encourage through its Atomes4netzero initiative and the joint organization with Belgium of First Nuclear Energy Summit in March 2024.

Combating harmful effects on the environment

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), in collaboration with Argentina, launched its first scientific research expedition in January 2024 for study the presence of microplastics in Antarctica.

This mission is part of efforts to combat this growing environmental problem, even in the most remote regions of the planet.

The team of scientists, armed with nuclear and isotopic technologies, will collect samples of water, sediments, and marine life.

In addition to scientific research, this expedition aims to raise public awareness about plastic pollution and its dangers for the planet.

An important step towards the protection of our oceans and marine life, even at the end of the world!

The International Atomic Energy Agency embodies global efforts for the use of nuclear energy for peaceful, safe and beneficial purposes for humanity.

Faced with rising risks, the IAEA is now facing new challenges in terms of nuclear safety and security, but also in terms of international cooperation and development.

With the growth of nuclear power and atomic technologies, the international organization affirms its central position as a strategic and operational player, essential for a resilient and sustainable global future.