The International Atomic Energy Agency

by Russell B. Olwell

In 1957, the International Atomic Energy Agency was established for the safe, secure, and peaceful use of nuclear technology. The IAEA is best known for its inspections of suspected nuclear weapons facilities across the world, but the agency has a host of responsibilities. Whether it is encouraging the use of nuclear energy, setting safety standards for radiation exposure, or using radiation to stamp out dangerous pests, the IAEA has an impact across the planet. Once an autonomous organization, the IAEA is now a part of the United Nations and is often referred to by the media as the U.N.'s nuclear watchdog. In 2005, the agency shared the Nobel Peace Prize with its director, Mohamed ElBaradei, for its ongoing efforts to combat nuclear weapons proliferation. The International Atomic Energy Agency examines the roles of this global agency, from the inspectors who searched for traces of nuclear material in Iraq and North Korea to the fight against agricultural pests in Africa.