Headquartered in
Vienna,
Austria, the
International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) seeks to promote the peaceful use of
nuclear energy and to inhibit its use for
military purposes. The IAEA's programs encourage the development of the peaceful application of nuclear technology, provide international safeguards against its misuse, and facilitate the application of safety measures in its use. IAEA expanded its nuclear safety efforts in response to the
Chernobyl disaster in
1986.
The IAEA was headed by Hans Blix from 1981 to 1997. The current head of the organization is Mohamed ElBaradei.
See also: nuclear proliferation, Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, nuclear weapon, nuclear reactor
IAEA's website (http://www.iaea.org)