International Atomic Energy Agency

International organization created to oversee development of peaceful uses for nuclear technology. On July 29, 1957, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) was founded in Vienna, Austria. The creation of the IAEA was advocated by U.S. president Dwight D. Eisenhower in his “Atoms for Peace” speech in 1953. President Eisenhower called for the IAEA to oversee a bank of fissionable material that could be used by the world's top researchers and scientists to create peaceful uses for atomic energy. This idea was spurred by Eisenhower's concern over the fast pace at which nuclear weapons technology was advancing, and the IAEA, along with other programs to put atomic energy to peaceful uses, became one of Eisenhower's objectives.

[Page 365]The International Atomic Energy Agency's mission today is to promote the safe and effective use of atomic energy throughout the world. It is mandated by the United Nations to ensure that atomic energy is utilized safely and securely and to limit the potential effects of radiation exposure on both humans and the environment. In addition, the IAEA serves to support science and technology initiatives that explore the peaceful use of nuclear energy.

The IAEA's science and technology division researches and develops the use of nuclear energy to address critical global issues. This contribution has included major efforts in the developing world against poverty, health, and environmental issues. The IAEA's nuclear and radiation technologies have facilitated improvements in water and agricultural areas. Further, electricity generation is another area where the IAEA is significantly involved and has contributed to global-development needs.

One of the IAEA's most visible roles is its safeguards and verification program. The IAEA regulates possession of nuclear weapons and prevents the proliferation of these weapons by inspecting nuclear facilities in more than 140 nations. They examine these facilities to ascertain whether or not the materials are used for military purposes. Its inspection powers result from the Non-Proliferation Treaty of 1968.

The Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) was drafted at a time when more countries were seeking and acquiring nuclear-weapons technology. The issue of nuclear proliferation became a major global concern because these weapons were no longer in the hands of only the United States and Soviet Union, who maintained significant nuclear-deterrent stockpiles to discourage each other from launching an attack. Now the proliferation of nuclear weapons to other countries was creating an atmosphere in which the use of nuclear weapons was becoming more possible.

Thus the NPT sought binding commitments from nonnuclear states that they would not pursue nuclear-weapons technology. Furthermore, nuclear powers signing on to the NPT committed to not providing the technology necessary to develop those weapons. Subsequent clauses to the NPT have opened up the opportunity for nonnuclear states to seek nuclear technology for civilian, peaceful purposes.

The IAEA works closely to supervise this exchange of nuclear technology, and its inspection and verification branch monitors the civilian nuclear infrastructures of states pursuing a nuclear-energy component. From the 1990s through the early 2000s, the role of the IAEA has grown significant, as several civilian nuclear programs have come under suspicion of seeking a nuclear weapon. The IAEA continues to monitor and enforce the NPT to verify adherence to the treaty by signatory states.

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