One of the central roles of the IAEA is to help global efforts to prevent the spread of nuclear weapons. The IAEA Department of Safeguards is tasked to verify the fulfilment of States' obligation not to develop, manufacture, or otherwise acquire nuclear weapons or other nuclear explosive devices. In this way, the IAEA contributes to the maintenance and strengthening of international confidence in the use of nuclear material and technology, and therefore constitutes an essential component of the international security system.
