The Path Ahead

Published Date: 28 August 2007

© IAEA The IAEA is a leading advocate of nuclear non-proliferation and security. It celebrates 50 years of international service in 2007 as the world's 'atoms for peace' organization. (Photo Credit: Kressimir Nikolic) Recent world developments have proved decisive in shaping where the IAEA stands today, and where it may be headed, opening new chapters in the world's nuclear history and the IAEA's global role for the atom's peaceful development. (Photo Credit: Dean Calma) The IAEA's 144 Member States work together with the Secretariat to harness the peaceful applications of nuclear energy for the benefit of peace and development worldwide. (Photo Credit: Dean Calma) Working with key partners in Member States, international organizations and the public, the IAEA aims to further contribute to sustainable strategies that will help address and alleviate problems to advance the causes of peace and development. (Photo Credit: Dean Calma) Using its share of the 2005 Nobel Peace Prize award money, the IAEA Board of Governors established a Cancer and Nutrition Fund to improve cancer management and childhood nutrition in the developing world. (Photo Credit: Dean Calma) Meetings of representatives of Member States provide opportunity to build consensus on major issues facing the IAEA. (Photo Credit: Dean Calma) Heightened media attention to the work of the IAEA is a reflection of a widening global awareness and interest in the safe, secure and peaceful use of nuclear science and technology. (Photo Credit: Dean Calma) The possibility of widespread climate change resulting from an increase in greenhouse gas concentrations in the atmosphere is a major global concern. (Photo Credit: Ana Maria Langer) The demand for energy around the world continues to increase rapidly, particularly in Asia, where access to reliable and adequate sources of energy is essential for development. (Photo Credit: Petr Pavlicek) At a time when countries are facing rising energy demands and environmental challenges, the role that nuclear power can play in the safe and clean production of electricity is receiving closer attention. (Photo Credit: Angra Brazil) Finland's new nuclear power plant at Olkiluoto will be home to Europe's first new reactor in 15 years. (Photo credit: Teollisuuden Voima Uy (TVO), Finland) A demonstrated high safety standard in nuclear facilities is essential to sustain the future growth of nuclear power technology. Here a worker conducts regular maintenance check-up of plant components. (Photo Credit: Angra Brazil) The IAEA helps countries preserve and transfer nuclear knowledge through training, specialized publications, workshops and expert visits to sites and facilities. (Photo Credit: Angra Brazil) Spent fuel management is one of the most important factors influencing the future of nuclear energy. (Photo Credit: Comet) Keeping fuel elements safe and secure throughout their life cycle is an objective the IAEA actively supports through comprehensive programmes and strategic partnerships. (This fuel element has never been used so it can be handled safely.) (Photo Credit: IAEA) The Agency is increasingly being asked to support Member States in programmes to return radioactive materials to the countries of origin. Above, experts get ready to transport 40 kilograms of highly enriched uranium from a nuclear research facility back to Russia. (Photo Credit: IAEA) Containers used to transport nuclear material are made of nearly indestructible materials, and are designed to handle maximum stress under the most extreme condition. (Photo Credit: BNFL) An exhibit on the environment during the IAEA's 50th General Conference reflected the multi-faceted work of the Agency in this area and highlighted its contribution to the Millennium Development Goals. (Photo Credit: Rodolfo Quevenco) In many parts of the world, drinking water has to be fetched and transported from miles away, sometimes on makeshift carts like this one in Morroa, Colombia, where the IAEA is helping preserve the aquifer for use by future generations. (Photo Credit: Juanita Perez-Vargas) A novel application of nuclear techniques is the conservation of objects of art and the protection of the world's cultural heritage. (Photo Credit: Dean Calma) Radiation medicine techniques are indispensable in cancer care, where radiotherapy plays a major role. (Photo Credit: Angela Leuker) By providing technical expertise in the use of stable isotope techniques to develop and evaluate nutrition programmes, the IAEA helps some of the world's poorest countries in their fight against malnutrition. (Photo Credit: IAEA) Scientists at the Agency's laboratories in Seibersdorf, Austria, use irradiation techniques to develop higher-yielding, disease-resistant plant varieties. (Photo Credit: Dean Calma) Ongoing research at the IAEA's laboratories are enabling rice farmers to plant new varieties that are higher yielding and adapt well to local conditions. (Photo Credit: Lothar Wedekind) The sterile insect technique for controlling insect pests like the tsetse fly has been pioneered and refined at the IAEA Laboratories in Seibersdorf. (Photo Credit: Dean Calma) An IAEA-assisted medfly control project in the Middle East is helping ensure greater productivity in fruits and vegetables destined for the export market. (Photo Credit: Ilan Mizrahi for IAEA) The IAEA is helping coastal communities in many countries to use nuclear science and technology to monitor and protect the marine environment, and fight a fisherman's nemesis commonly known as the "red tide". (Photo Credit: Conor Mulrooney) Each year many fellowships are awarded to specialists from developing countries to learn advanced nuclear techniques through on-the-job training at the  IAEA's laboratories. (Photo Credit: Dean Calma) IAEA-led international peer review missions, information exchange, training, and safety standards and guides are essential in maintaining a high level of safety culture within the nuclear industry. (Photo Credit: Dean Calma) The security of nuclear facilities around the world has become a top priority for the IAEA  and its Member States. (Photo Credit: Vadim Mouchkin) IAEA nuclear security activities are aimed at helping countries strengthen their efforts to detect and prevent the illicit uses of nuclear materials. (Photo Credit: Dean Calma) The IAEA promotes legally-binding conventions, international safety standards and peer reviews to ensure that nuclear and radiation techniques are used safely, with proper protection of people and the environment. Above, China signs a nuclear security cooperation agreement with the IAEA.  (Photo Credit: Dean Calma) Safeguards seals are developed to ensure that equipments is not tampered with or materials diverted in the period between physical inspections. (Photo Credit: Dean Calma) A team of IAEA experts returns to North Korea, after a four-and-a-half year absence, to monitor the shutdown of the Yongbyon nuclear facility. (Photo Credit: IAEA) Discussions aimed at resolving outstanding safeguards and verification issues in Iran. (Photo Credit: MEHR) Laboratory experts complete the work of IAEA safeguards inspectors by performing crucial analysis of samples taken from the field. (Photo Credit: Dean Calma) The role of the IAEA is expected to expand and with it the need for adequate resources to deal effectively with issues within its mandate. (Photo Credit: Dean Calma) With more than 2300 dedicated men and women from over 90 different countries working with the same ideal and goal - putting nuclear technology to work for the good of humanity - the IAEA is poised to face challenges in the road ahead. (Photo Credit: Dean Calma) <p>'FIRST PLACE WINNER, Energy in our World Children's Painting Competition'</p>Michelle Cheng Cin Min, 12 years old (China) <p>'SECOND PLACE WINNER, Energy in our World Children's Painting Competition'</p>Jerrika C. Shi, 10 years old (Philippines) <p>'THIRD PLACE WINNER, Energy in our World Children's Painting Competition'</p>Ho Charlotte Sie Wing, 13 years old (China) <p>'HONOURABLE MENTION, Energy in our World Children's Painting Competition'</p>Tiffany Law, 12 years old (China) <p>'HONOURABLE MENTION, Energy in our World Children's Painting Competition'</p>Pristavu Adrian Emanual, 9 years old (Romania)