International Atomic Energy Agency

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) is an international organisation that serves as the world's central intergovernmental forum for scientific and technical cooperation in the peaceful use of nuclear technology. Established in 1957 as an autonomous organisation under the United Nations system, the IAEA is headquartered in Vienna, Austria, with regional and liaison offices around the world. The agency's mandate encompasses promoting the safe, secure and peaceful use of nuclear technologies, verifying compliance with international nuclear non-proliferation commitments, and providing technical assistance to member states developing nuclear energy programmes. The IAEA operates a safeguards system to ensure that nuclear materials and facilities are not diverted from peaceful uses to weapons programmes, conducting inspections and monitoring activities in countries that have signed the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons. The organisation also sets international safety standards for nuclear installations, radiation protection and the transport of radioactive materials, and coordinates responses to nuclear emergencies. Its technical cooperation programme supports member states in areas including nuclear power planning, human health applications, food security and water resource management. The IAEA plays a significant role in assessing the feasibility and readiness of countries considering nuclear power, particularly in regions such as sub-Saharan Africa where interest in small modular reactors and nuclear energy is growing. The agency is governed by a General Conference of all member states and a 35-member Board of Governors. The IAEA and its then-Director General Mohamed ElBaradei were jointly awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2005 for their work to prevent nuclear energy from being used for military purposes.