INTERNATIONAL ATOMIC ENERGY AGENCY (IAEA)

INTERNATIONAL ATOMIC ENERGY AGENCY (IAEA)

Subject: International Organisations

Context: Iran said that a three-month monitoring deal between Tehran and IAEA has expired and that its access to images from inside some Iranian nuclear sites would cease. The announcement raised further questions about the future of indirect talks under way between the United States and Iran on reviving the 2015 Iran nuclear deal.

Concept:

About IAEA:

• The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), an UN agency is the world’s central intergovernmental forum for scientific and technical co-operation in the nuclear field.
• It works for the safe, secure and peaceful uses of nuclear science and technology, contributing to international peace and security and the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals.
• It was formed in 1957 as a result of Conference on the Statute of the International Atomic Energy Agency held at the UN headquarters. Initially it was known as ‘Atoms for peace’.
• It is headquartered in Vienna, Austria.
• It has 171 members (Sain Lucia being most recent member).
• Though it is and independent international agencies, yet, it reports annually to UNGA.
• It along with its Director General won Nobel Peace prize in 2005.
• The IAEA’s policy-making bodies decide on the Agency’s programmes and budgets. They comprise the General Conference of all Member States and the 35-member Board of Governors.

The IAEA’s three main areas of work are:

• Safety and security
• Science and technology
• Safeguards and verification

Funding of IAEA:

• The IAEA carries out its work in two main areas: the regular programme and the Technical Cooperation programme. These two programmes are financed from separate funds.
• They are additionally supported by extra-budgetary contributions from Member States and non-member states donors. The IAEA’s budget is approved annually by the IAEA General Conference.