Atomic Energy Agency, International

Atomic Energy Agency, International, intergovernmental organization established in 1957 under the aegis of the United Nations to promote the peaceful uses of atomic energy. Its headquarters are in Vienna. It may purchase and sell fissionable materials, offer technical assistance for peaceful nuclear energy uses, and establish safeguards preventing diversion of nuclear materials to military use. It inspects for compliance with the Non-Proliferation Treaty, a power strengthened as a result of the findings of Iraqi violations in 1992. The organization is made up of a general conference, consisting of representatives of all member states, a board of governors of 35 members, and a secretariat headed by a director-general. There are 144 member nations. The organization and its director general, Mohamed ElBaradei, were awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2005 for working to prevent the use and spread of nuclear weapons and to ensure that peaceful uses of nuclear energy were safe.

The Columbia Electronic Encyclopedia, 6th ed. Copyright © 2007, Columbia University Press. All rights reserved.

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