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IAEA Chief Receives Award from Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs

DG receiving the decoration from the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs

IAEA Director General Mohamed ElBaradei receiving a medal and citation for his "Contribution to International Cooperation" from Mr. Alexander Zmeyevskiy, Russia´s Permanent Representative to the international organizations in Vienna. (Photo: D. Calma/IAEA)

IAEA Director General Mohamed ElBaradei has received an award from the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs for his "Contribution to International Cooperation". The award recognizes Dr. ElBaradei´s "high professional skill, broad range of vision, fidelity of principles, ability through dialogue to find ways to solutions of the most complicated international problems with the aim of the use of atomic energy for the welfare of mankind and prosperity all over the world".

Mr. Alexander Zmeyevskiy, Russia´s Permanent Representative to the international organizations in Vienna, presented the award to the Director General at a ceremony held at its embassy in Vienna on 21 August 2007. He said the Russian Foreign Ministry was presenting the award also in connection with the IAEA´s 50th anniversary, which is being celebrated this year.

In his acceptance speech, Dr. ElBaradei mentioned the IAEA´s role as a vehicle for development and peace. "I am deeply honoured and grateful to be recognised by the Russian Federation for my contribution along with my colleagues to international cooperation in the area of the peaceful use of nuclear energy for development, peace and prosperity. I am one of over 2000 people who have been working hard in an objective, impartial and dedicated way to make our world more human, fairer, more equitable and safer," he said.

There is a clear relationship between development and security and that it is the IAEA´s job to help countries in the area of development making sure that nuclear power is only used for peaceful purposes, Dr. ElBaradei added. "When you allow countries to develop you are giving hope to humanity. If you have hope, you have fewer conflicts. And if people have a good standard of living, eventually a system of good governance, dialogue and security is created," he stated.

Dr. ElBaradei also cited the Russian Federation´s role as supporter of the IAEA. "We can only succeed as a Secretariat when we get the necessary support from our Member States, and I am proud to say that throughout our 50-year history we have had consistent support from the Russian Federation and the former Soviet Union in all our activities," he said.

Last update: 27 Jul 2017

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