Translation. Region: Russian Federation –
Source: United Nations – United Nations –
An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.
September 14, 2009
Today in Vienna, the General Conference of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) supported the proposal of the Board of Governors and approved Japanese citizen Yukiya Amano as the Agency's Director General.
Mr. Amano will replace Egyptian Mohamed ElBaradei, who has held the post since 1997. His term expires on November 30.
"I would like to take this opportunity to thank Mohamed ElBaradei for his many years of dedicated service to humanity, international peace, and security. I also wish to express my support for the new Director General, Yukiya Amano, who faces challenging challenges ahead," reads a message from UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon to the IAEA General Conference.
In it, Ban Ki-moon expressed concern about the danger of nuclear proliferation. He called for strengthening the IAEA safeguards system. In this regard, the UN chief called on all states party to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) to accede to the Additional Protocol to the IAEA Safeguards Agreement. This ensures unimpeded IAEA inspections in NPT states.
The UN Secretary-General noted that 25 NPT members have not yet acceded to the Additional Protocol. Ban Ki-moon believes it serves as an effective means of ensuring the international community's confidence in the peaceful uses of nuclear energy and the timely detection of undeclared nuclear activities.
Ban Ki-moon called on the IAEA General Conference to reaffirm its commitment to resuming the six-party talks on North Korea's nuclear program.
The IAEA is headquartered in Vienna. The agency was established in 1957 to assist states in the peaceful uses of nuclear energy.
The IAEA's day-to-day operations are overseen by its Board of Governors. It consists of 35 UN member states and typically meets five times a year. The General Conference consists of all IAEA member states. It meets once a year to discuss the Board of Governors' report on the IAEA's activities. It approves the Agency's accounts and budget and elects the members of the Board of Governors.
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