INTERNATIONAL ATOMIC ENERGY AGENCY (IAEA)

Context:
The 2024 edition of the IAEA’s Climate Change and Nuclear Power report has been published.

Background:

• Nuclear power is gaining renewed attention as nations focus on enhancing energy security and reducing carbon emissions. To achieve net-zero emissions by 2050, a rapid expansion of clean energy technologies is essential. In this context, nuclear energy is expected to play a crucial role. The IAEA forecasts that nuclear power capacity could increase by 2.5 times the current levels by the middle of the century, under its high-case scenario.

About the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA):

• Established in 1957, the IAEA operates as an independent international organization within the United Nations (UN) framework.
• The IAEA's inception is linked to U.S. President Dwight D. Eisenhower’s Atoms for Peace speech delivered to the UN General Assembly on December 8, 1953.
• The agency’s core mission is to promote the peaceful use of nuclear energy while ensuring that nuclear technology is not used for military purposes, particularly for nuclear weapons.
• Headquarters: The IAEA, governed by its own founding treaty, reports to both the UN General Assembly and the Security Council. It is based at the UN Office in Vienna, Austria.

Key Objectives:

1. Promote the safe and peaceful use of nuclear energy for power generation, healthcare, and agriculture.
2. Monitor and verify compliance with nuclear non-proliferation treaties, such as the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT).
3. Ensure that nuclear materials are not diverted for military or weapons-related activities.

Functions:

• Safeguards and Verification: Inspects nuclear facilities to verify that nuclear materials are not diverted to weapons programs.
• Technical Cooperation: Assists member states in the peaceful application of nuclear technology in sectors like healthcare, agriculture, and industry.
• Safety and Security: Promotes nuclear safety standards and supports countries in securing nuclear materials and facilities.
• Nuclear Energy Development: Facilitates knowledge sharing and best practices for the peaceful use of nuclear energy.

Membership:

• Membership is open to all UN members and other states willing to comply with the agency’s statutes.

Nobel Peace Prize:

• In 2005, the IAEA and its Director General, Mohamed ElBaradei, were awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for their efforts in preventing the misuse of nuclear energy for military purposes.

India and the IAEA:

• India is one of the founding members of the IAEA.
• After the 1968 ratification of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons, non-nuclear-armed states are required to negotiate a safeguards agreement with the IAEA, which monitors nuclear programs and inspects facilities.
• In 2009, India signed a safeguards agreement with the IAEA under the India-U.S. Civil Nuclear Agreement, allowing the agency to inspect its civilian nuclear installations.
• India actively contributes to IAEA efforts in areas such as nuclear safety, security, and technical cooperation.