Conference Highlights, Monday, 20 September

IAEA General Conference Opens in Vienna
High-level delegations from IAEA Member States are meeting at the annual General Conference in Vienna from Monday 20 to Friday 24 September on major issues facing the Agency, and to approve its programme and budget for the coming year.
New Members of the IAEA
The General Conference has approved the applications for IAEA membership of Chad, Togolese Republic and Islamic Republic of Mauritania. Membership takes effect once the required legal instruments are deposited with the Agency.
Hungary's Ambassador Elected Conference President
Mr. József Rónaki, Director General of Hungary's Atomic Energy Authority, was elected as President of the 48th IAEA General Conference this morning. He succeeds Japan's Ambassador Yukio Takasu, the Resident Representative to the IAEA and Governor on the Agency's Board of Governors. Curriculum Vitae »
Director General Statement Highlights Top Issues Facing the IAEA
In a statement to delegations of Member States meeting at the 48th IAEA General Conference, Director General Mohamed ElBaradei reviewed major international nuclear issues facing the Agency and international community. Read Statement »
General Debate Opens
The General Debate opened today with statements from Heads of Delegations, including Mexico, United States, Netherlands (for EU), South Africa, Islamic Republic of Iran and Japan. Statements from other delegations are scheduled over the next several days. See Statements »
Iran's Statement to the General Conference
In his statement to the General Conference, Mr. Reza Aghazadeh, Vice-President of Iran and President of the Atomic Energy Organization, took issue with the resolution on the verification of its nuclear programme adopted by the IAEA Board of Governors 18 September. He assured the international community that all nuclear activities of the Islamic Republic of Iran are peaceful and reaffirmed his country's determination to continue its nuclear activities, under the surveillance of the Agency, and in accordance with the Safeguards Agreement and the Additional Protocol. Iran Statement » [pdf] :: Board Resolution » [pdf]
China Boosts Support for IAEA Development & Security Initiatives
Marking 20 years of cooperation with the IAEA, China announced today that it would donate US$1 million to the IAEA's special funds for technical cooperation and enhanced nuclear security. Head of the Chinese Delegation, Mr. Zhang Huazhu, made the announcement in his statement to the General Conference. Press Release »

Briefings and Presentation

Catalogue to Help Countries Track "Orphan" Radioactive Sources
Vital information to help Member States identify abandoned or spent radioactive sources has been compiled in an IAEA database, delegates were told in a briefing this afternoon. Full Story »
Nuclear Knowledge Management
In a briefing to the delegates of the 48th IAEA General Conference, the IAEA underscored the importance of "Nuclear Knowledge Management" initiatives. Full Story »
Nuclear Power Prospects and Energy Planning
Delegates to the IAEA briefing, "Fifty Years of Nuclear Power: Review and Outlook," marked the milestone with a presentation of nuclear power's past, present and future. Full Story »

Documents and Reports

The Conference's Provisional Agenda, as well as various reports to the General Conference are available online for browsing or download. The list is updated as documents and reports become available.
See Documents »
IAEA Annual Report for 2003 and World Nuclear Overviews
Annual reports issued recently by the IAEA take stock of global nuclear developments, while highlighting issues heavily influencing the Agency's agenda. The reports are issued annually in advance of the IAEA General Conference of Member States, which this year opens 20 September 2004 at the Austria Center in Vienna. View Reports »

Meetings and Events

Programme for the IAEA's 2004 Scientific Forum
IAEA Director General Mohamed ElBaradei is scheduled to deliver the opening address at the IAEA's Scientific Forum 21 September. This year's Forum focuses on Nuclear Fuel Cycle Issues and Challenges and features three sessions over two days, 21-22 September, in Vienna. Read more »

Selected excerpts of the Director General's Statement to the General Conference are available in video. Click here to view.