KAZAKHSTAN TAKES PART IN IAEA GENERAL CONFERENCE IN VIENNA

Astana, September 17: The 53rd Session of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) General Conference takes place in Vienna (September 14-18, 2009). Kazakhstan’s delegation is headed by Deputy Minister of Energy & Mineral Resources Aset Magauov.

The preliminary agenda of the 53rd Session GC included discussions on the strengthening of international cooperation in the field of nuclear security, radiation safety, protection against nuclear terrorism, strengthening of the Agency's technical cooperation activities, improving efficiency and effectiveness of the safeguards system and application of the Model Additional Protocol.

Issues such as the implementation of agreements between the Agency and North Korea on the application of safeguards in connection with Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) and the application of the IAEA’s safeguards in the Middle East were also to be discussed.

The annual report of the Agency is being presented at the conference and the Agency’s budget for next year is to be approved. In addition, Ambassador Yukiya Amano of Japan has been confirmed as Director General to succeed Dr. Mohamed ElBaradei of Egypt.

IAEA

The IAEA was set up as the world´s ‘Atoms for Peace’ organization in 1957 within the United Nations family. The Agency works with its 150 Member States and multiple partners worldwide to promote safe, secure and peaceful nuclear technologies.

KAZAKHSTAN & IAEA

The Republic of Kazakhstan became the 121st member of IAEA on February 12 1994 and joined NPT on December 13 1993. In accordance with the regulations of NTP, the Agreement between Kazakhstan and IAEA on the application of safeguards in connection with NPT was signed in Almaty in July 1994 and ratified by Presidential Decree in June 1995.  In compliance with the Agreement, the nuclear activity of Kazakhstan was under IAEA safeguards.

In Kazakhstan’s role as OSCE Chairman-in-Office in 2010, the fight against proliferation of dangerous materials and weapons of mass destruction will be a top priority.