The 57th annual session of the IAEA General Conference concluded today in Vienna. More than 3 000 delegates from 159 IAEA Member States, international organizations, NGO's and the media attended the event held at the Austria Center, Vienna from 16-20 September 2013.
At its closing session, the General Conference delegates adopted resolutions aimed at strengthening the IAEA's work in the areas of nuclear science and technology, safety, security, safeguards and technical cooperation. The adopted resolutions will be posted on the Resolutions page of the GC57 Website as they become available.
Also at the General Conference, a special Scientific Forum on The Blue Planet, focusing on nuclear applications for sustainable marine environment was organized. The Forum highlighted the challenges presented by climate change and ocean acidification, as well as the role of nuclear applications in supporting a sustainable marine environment. Additionally, a number of side events on the Agency's work in areas such as nuclear energy, safety and security, nuclear sciences and applications and technical cooperation also took place.
Following are selected highlights from the week-long event:
The General Conference approved the applications of Brunei Darussalam and the Commonwealth of the Bahamas for membership in the IAEA. Membership will take effect once the appropriate legal instruments are deposited with the Agency. It also elected Mr. Xolisa Mfundiso Mabhongo of South Africa as President of the 57th IAEA General Conference.
The 57th General Conference approved by acclamation the reappointment of Director General Yukiya Amano for a further term of four years. Mr. Amano has held the top position at the IAEA since 2009.
The 2013 IAEA Scientific Forum on The Blue Planet - Nuclear Applications for a Sustainable Marine Environment, was conducted over a two day period, 17-18 September 2013. It featured presentations and discussions from scientists, experts and policy makers from various disciplines. The Forum's goal is to initiate dialogue and build new, cooperative partnerships to protect and preserve the ecological balance that is vital for the survival of coastal regions and the marine environment.
Exhibitions by IAEA Member States were displayed at the Vienna International Centre on national projects on the peaceful uses of nuclear applications, as well as its benefits for sustainable development.
On 19 September 2013, the General Conference elected 11 new countries to serve on the 35-member IAEA Board of Governors for the period 2013-2014. The newly elected Board members are Austria, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Finland, Kenya, Peru, Qatar, Slovakia, Sudan, United Arab Emirates, Venezuela, and Vietnam.
The 58th IAEA General Conference will be held from 22-26 September 2014 at the Agency's headquarters in Vienna, Austria.
