Pakistan’s nuclear weapons should be brought under the supervision of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) as they are not safe in such a rogue nation, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said.
Overview
- Foremost intergovernmental forum for scientific and technical cooperation in the nuclear field.
- Promotes the safe, secure, and peaceful use of nuclear science and technology.
- Known as the “Atoms for Peace and Development” organization within the UN system.
- An autonomous organization that reports to both the UN General Assembly and UN Security Council.
- In 2005, it was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for its work for a safe and peaceful world.
Statute and Formation
- Statute approved: 23 October 1956 at a UN conference.
- Came into force: 29 July 1957.
- Headquarters: Vienna, Austria.
- Membership: 178 member states (as of 2025), India being one of the founding members of it.
Structure of the IAEA
- General Conference:
- Comprises all member states.
- Meets annually.
- Approves budget and programs, debates general policies.
- Board of Governors:
- Consists of 35 members.
- Meets around five times a year.
- Approves safeguard agreements, oversees statutory functions, appoints the Director General.
- Secretariat:
- Handles day-to-day operations.
- Headed by the Director General.
Functions of the IAEA
- Promotes peaceful use of nuclear energy with global partnerships.
- Applies nuclear safeguards to ensure nuclear materials are not diverted for weapons:
- Includes monitoring, inspection, and analysis.
- Implements safeguards under the NPT (Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty).
- Facilitates scientific and technical information exchange among member states.
- Strengthens preparedness and response capacity for nuclear and radiological emergencies.
