Committees :: View
International Atomic Energy Agency
Directors
- Lisa Palazzolo
- Shehzin Jafar
Topics
- Formation of a comprehensive international framework for promoting nuclear safety and security
- Strengthening the NPT
- Enforcement of the Kyoto Protocol through nuclear energy
Documents
- Committee Directives (PDF, 38.1 KB)
- Topic Introduction I (PDF, 11.3 KB)
- Topic Introduction II (PDF, 43 KB)
- Topic Introduction III (PDF, 14.2 KB)
- Topic History I (PDF, 89.2 KB)
- Topic History II (PDF, 78.8 KB)
- Topic History III (PDF, 93.3 KB)
- Current Situation Topic I (PDF, 32 KB)
- Current Situation Topic II (PDF, 27 KB)
- Current Situation Topic III (PDF, 24 KB)
Committee Overview
Purpose
The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) is a cooperative international organization with the purpose of promoting the safe and peaceful use of nuclear technologies in accordance with the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty. The mission of the IAEA is comprised of the following three pillars: “safety and security, science and technology, and safeguards and verification.” The IAEA is an independent international organization, but it works with the United Nations system and prepares an annual report for the General Assembly of the UN, detailing what the Agency has accomplished during the year and what it hopes to accomplish in the future.
Membership
The IAEA is currently composed of 144 member states, many of those also being members of the UN. To be considered for membership, interested states must submit an application which is reviewed by the Secretariat. The application is then sent to the Board of Governors who determines the state’s ability and willingness to carry out the obligation of membership. The Board of Governors then makes a recommendation to the General Conference who ultimately approves the membership.
Structure
There are three main components in the structure of the IAEA: the General Conference, The Board of Governors, and the Secretariat lead by the Director-General. The General Conference meets once a year and consists of all member states. Each member state has one vote in the General Conference. The Board of Governors has 35 seats, 13 of which are permanent and belong to those countries “most advanced in nuclear technology.” The other 22 seats are selected by the General Conference and are selected in regards to geographical representation. The Secretariat is headed by the Director-General who is elected to a four year term by the Board of Governors with the approval of the General Conference.
Powers
The IAEA, in accordance with its special agreement with the UN, is “responsible for international activities concerned with the peaceful uses of atomic energy.” Also, “The United Nations recognizes that the Agency, by virtue of its inter-governmental character and international responsibilities, will function under its Statute as an autonomous international organization in the working relationship with the United Nations” The IAEA also plays an important role as a sort-of nuclear watch dog. It has the power to inspect a state’s nuclear program and determine whether they are acting in accordance with the NPT and other nuclear agreements. If the Agency decides that a state is not complying, it can refer the case to the Security Council of the UN for further action.
Limitations
The IAEA may not participate in any actions which might provide assistance in a states attempts to use nuclear technologies for military purposes.
The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) is a cooperative international organization with the purpose of promoting the safe and peaceful use of nuclear technologies in accordance with the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty. The mission of the IAEA is comprised of the following three pillars: “safety and security, science and technology, and safeguards and verification.” The IAEA is an independent international organization, but it works with the United Nations system and prepares an annual report for the General Assembly of the UN, detailing what the Agency has accomplished during the year and what it hopes to accomplish in the future.
Membership
The IAEA is currently composed of 144 member states, many of those also being members of the UN. To be considered for membership, interested states must submit an application which is reviewed by the Secretariat. The application is then sent to the Board of Governors who determines the state’s ability and willingness to carry out the obligation of membership. The Board of Governors then makes a recommendation to the General Conference who ultimately approves the membership.
Structure
There are three main components in the structure of the IAEA: the General Conference, The Board of Governors, and the Secretariat lead by the Director-General. The General Conference meets once a year and consists of all member states. Each member state has one vote in the General Conference. The Board of Governors has 35 seats, 13 of which are permanent and belong to those countries “most advanced in nuclear technology.” The other 22 seats are selected by the General Conference and are selected in regards to geographical representation. The Secretariat is headed by the Director-General who is elected to a four year term by the Board of Governors with the approval of the General Conference.
Powers
The IAEA, in accordance with its special agreement with the UN, is “responsible for international activities concerned with the peaceful uses of atomic energy.” Also, “The United Nations recognizes that the Agency, by virtue of its inter-governmental character and international responsibilities, will function under its Statute as an autonomous international organization in the working relationship with the United Nations” The IAEA also plays an important role as a sort-of nuclear watch dog. It has the power to inspect a state’s nuclear program and determine whether they are acting in accordance with the NPT and other nuclear agreements. If the Agency decides that a state is not complying, it can refer the case to the Security Council of the UN for further action.
Limitations
The IAEA may not participate in any actions which might provide assistance in a states attempts to use nuclear technologies for military purposes.