IAEA Promotes Peaceful Use and Nuclear Safety Worldwide

Why in the news?

The IAEA continues its efforts to ensure nuclear technology is used for peaceful purposes, implementing safeguards under the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty and enhancing global responses to nuclear incidents.

IAEA Promotes Peaceful Use and Nuclear Safety Worldwide

About IAEA and Role in Nuclear Cooperation:

  • The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) is a global organisation promoting cooperation in nuclear science and technology.
  • Established through its own international treaty, the IAEA operates independently while reporting to both the UN General Assembly and Security Council.
  • Headquartered in Vienna, Austria, the agency has 178 member states. It includes a General Conference, meeting annually, and a 35-member Board of Governors overseeing its core functions. The Secretariat, led by the director general, handles daily operations.

Promoting Peaceful Use of Nuclear Technology:

  • The IAEA advocates for the safe, secure, and peaceful use of nuclear energy and technology.
  • It enforces nuclear safeguards to ensure that nuclear materials are used only for peaceful purposes and not diverted for weapon development.
  • These safeguards are key to fulfilling the mandates of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), which seeks to prevent nuclear weapon proliferation.

About Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT):

  • The NPT is an international agreement signed in 1968 by key nuclear and non-nuclear powers to prevent the spread of nuclear weapons and technology.
  • It is the most widely supported treaty in nuclear non-proliferation, with 191 State parties.
  • The treaty promotes peaceful use of nuclear energy and commits nuclear-weapon States not to aid non-nuclear-weapon States in acquiring nuclear weapons.
  • Non-nuclear-weapon States agree not to pursue nuclear arms.
  • The NPT also aims for nuclear disarmament and encourages international cooperation in the peaceful use of nuclear technology.

Associated Article:

https://universalinstitutions.com/q-discuss-the-role-played-by-the-international-atomic-energy-agency-iaea-in-the-field-of-nuclear-safety/