| Often called the world's "atoms for peace" organization,
the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) celebrates its 50th year
of international service in 2007. The IAEA is the world's centre of cooperation in the nuclear field. It was
created in 1957 in response to the deep fears and expectations resulting from
the discovery of nuclear energy. Its fortunes are uniquely geared to this
controversial technology that can be used either as a weapon or as a practical
and useful tool.
The Agency's genesis was US President Eisenhower's "Atoms for Peace" address
to the General Assembly of the United Nations on 8 December 1953. These ideas
helped to shape the IAEA Statute, which 81 nations unanimously approved in
October 1956. The Statute outlines the three pillars of the Agency's work
— nuclear verification and safeguards, safety and security, and technology
transfer.
In December 2005, the Norwegian Nobel Committee awarded the Nobel Peace Prize
for 2005 to the IAEA and to its Director General, Mohamed ElBaradei, for their
work for a safer and more peaceful world. For more information, visit the
Agency's public website at
www.iaea.org
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