Sixtieth Anniversary of the IAEA

The IAEA Statute was approved on 23 October 1956 and entered into force on 29 July 1957. The first session of the IAEA General Conference took place from 1 to 23 October 1957.

(Video: L. Potterton/IAEA)

The IAEA sixtieth regular session of the General Conference took place in 2016. In recognition thereof, the IAEA Secretariat organized a number of events and activities for 2016-2017 in order to commemorate its sixtieth anniversary.

The commemoration provided an opportunity to enhance the visibility of the IAEA's significant contribution to international peace and development, past and present. A logo for the sixtieth anniversary was made available in June 2016 for use during the commemorative timeframe, from the second half of 2016 through October 2017.

The events and activities which the IAEA Secretariat organized on the occasion of the sixtieth regular session of the General Conference included:

• A reception at the Hofburg Palace in Vienna, Austria, to commemorate the occasion was held on the evening of 26 September 2016, the first day of the sixtieth regular session of the General Conference;
• A photo exhibition focusing on major events, projects and achievements since the establishment of the Agency, showcasing its contribution to peace and development, was opened on the occasion of the sixtieth regular session of the General Conference in the M-building of the VIC; 
• A special edition of the IAEA Bulletin featuring the above photo exhibition;
• A series of short documentary films that focus on specific areas of the IAEA's work; and
• A special Scientific Forum with high-level discussions following the adoption of the Sustainable Development Goals at the United Nations Sustainable Development Summit in September 2015, was held under the title: "How can nuclear techniques help countries achieve the Sustainable Development Goals".

See video messages received from organizations around the world, congratulating the IAEA on its 60th anniversary here.