Today globalization penetrates into all spheres of public life. After the end of World War II, international organizations began to be actively created that promote cooperation between countries and contribute to the resolution of conflicts. So, in 1957, the International Atomic Energy Agency was established, which set as its goal the control of atomic energy.
IAEA: Key Features
The IAEA is an international intergovernmental organization aimed at developing an interstate collaboration on the safe use of atomic energy. This structure was created within the framework of the United Nations, but subsequently began to acquire an increasingly independent status.
The IAEA headquarters is located in Vienna. In addition to her, the named organization has local branches in other countries of the world. So, its regional branches are located in Canada, Switzerland (in Geneva), the USA (New York) and Japan (Tokyo). However, major meetings and meetings take place at the IAEA headquarters in the Austrian capital.
At the sight of the above abbreviation, the question immediately arises of decoding the IAEA. The full name of the organization reads as the International Atomic Energy Agency. The English version of this abbreviation looks like IAEA. And the IAEA transcript in English is International Atomic Energy Agency .
In 2005, the IAEA was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize, which amounted to 10 million Swedish crowns.
Since the named organization is a UN specialized agency, there are 6 main languages โโin which meetings are held here and documents are created. Among them are English, French, Spanish, Arabic, Chinese and Russian.
The purpose and main functions of the IAEA
the main objective The IAEA is the prevention of the use of atomic energy for predatory interests. The main function of the agency is to encourage the development of different countries of the world on the use of atomic potential for peaceful, civilian purposes. The IAEA is also an intermediary between participating members in the exchange of theoretical and practical materials. The legislative function of the International Atomic Energy Agency is to develop basic safety standards and maintain health. The represented body is also authorized to prevent the use of nuclear potential for military purposes.
Throughout the second half of the 20th century, there was an active process of reducing nuclear potential. The Soviet Union and the United States strove to achieve parity. However, with the collapse of the USSR, the problem of nuclear weapons again became relevant. Today, events unfolding in the geopolitical arena can plunge the world into a nuclear war. And the IAEA, as an international organization, is doing its utmost to prevent the unleashing of a nuclear catastrophe.
Organizational structure of an international organization
The governing structure of the IAEA is the General Conference, whose members are all members of the organization, and the Governing Council, consisting of 35 states. The structure also includes the Secretariat, which is headed by the Director General.
Today, 168 countries of the world are members of the organization. And the General Conference is convened annually.
IAEA Financing
The financial basis of the IAEA is a regular budget and voluntary donations. The total amount of funds averages about 330 million euros annually. The participating countries are trying to actively invest financial resources in the development of this organization.
Nuclear Weapons Regulation Activities
The creation of nuclear weapons has become a threat to humanity. In this regard, an international structure was required to control its non-proliferation. On November 24, 1969, the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) was ratified as part of the IAEA.
According to the document, a country is considered the owner of nuclear weapons if it was manufactured before 1967. The owners of the nuclear potential are not entitled to transfer it to other countries. The five states that possessed weapons of nuclear origin (Great Britain, the USA, the USSR, France and China) have undertaken not to send them against other states.
A special clause of the agreement is the desire to reduce, and ultimately to completely eliminate the world's nuclear potential.
The NPT is an example of cooperation and interaction between countries. However, not everyone agreed to sign this agreement. Israel, India and Pakistan refused to accede to the international treaty. Many believe that Israel has nuclear capabilities, and this, in turn, is prohibited by the decision of the NPT. The DPRK signed the agreement, and later withdrew its signature. It may also indicate the presence of nuclear weapons in the country.
IAEA: liquidation of the Chernobyl accident
In April 1986, an emergency happened in the USSR - an explosion at a nuclear power plant in Chernobyl. The IAEA as an international organization could not stand aside.
Her efforts raised financial and material resources that were sent to the Soviet Union to eliminate the consequences of the terrible catastrophe. The IAEA staff conducted all kinds of examinations to identify the causes of the explosion at the power plant. Today, Chernobyl remains in the spotlight of the IAEA. Expeditions are regularly conducted to the emergency site, where experts check the condition of the sarcophagus, which was built at the accident site in 1986.
The Chernobyl disaster led to the development of recommendations in case of industrial accidents.