Profile: IAEA

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) - the nuclear watchdog of the United Nations - promotes the peaceful use of atomic energy while trying to make sure that the technology is not used for military purposes.

It has a high-profile role in monitoring compliance with international safeguards, including the 1968 nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT). In recent years it has been active in Iran, North Korea and Iraq.

Nobel peace prize judges spoke of the "incalculable" importance of its work in awarding the 2005 prize to the agency and its director.

OVERVIEW

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The agency also researches the use of atomic energy in such areas as agriculture, industry and medicine. It shares expertise among its members - especially those in the developing world - and sets safety standards.

Iran's nuclear programme goes on despite IAEA pressure

The IAEA advises its members about developing and operating nuclear power stations and disposing of radioactive waste.

It had a big role in the aftermath of Ukraine's Chernobyl nuclear power station disaster in 1986 and is involved in decommissioning the Soviet-era plant.

The IAEA's roots go back to the early 1950s, when rapid advances in nuclear technology were being made and memories of the destruction wrought by the atomic bomb attacks on the Japanese cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki were fresh.

In 1953 US President Dwight D Eisenhower, mindful of trends which he believed would lead to a nuclear arms race, made his "Atoms for Peace" speech to the UN.

We have nine countries that possess nuclear weapons, we have 27,000 warheads in existence IAEA head Mohamed ElBaradei, 2007

He envisaged a body that would develop the technology along peaceful lines. His vision found form in the IAEA, which began work in 1957 as an autonomous, inter-governmental body under the wing of the UN.

After the 11 September 2001 attacks on the US, Washington backed calls for an increase in the agency's budget and President George W Bush described the IAEA as a key player in the coalition against terrorism. The agency has warned of the dangers of nuclear-related terrorism.

However, the US administration has also often expressed its dissatisfaction at what it sees as the IAEA's failure to take a tougher line with aspiring nuclear powers such as Iran.

FACTS

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• Membership: 145 nations
• Headquarters: Vienna, Austria
• Budget: $398.8m (2009)
• Staff: 2,200 (Secretariat); 670 (in the field)
• Known nuclear-armed states: China, France, India, North Korea, Pakistan, Russia, UK, US (Israel is widely believed to have nuclear arms)

LEADERS

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Director-general: Mohamed ElBaradei

Mohamed ElBaradei, a former Egyptian diplomat, was re-elected for a third term as head of the agency in June 2005 after the US, which had opposed his candidature, dropped its objections.

IAEA chief and Nobel winner Mohamed ElBaradei

Mr ElBaradei and the IAEA were jointly awarded the 2005 Nobel peace prize. The citation described the director as a "fearless advocate" of nuclear weapons curbs.

The director-general is assisted by six deputy directors-general. He heads the Secretariat, which is responsible for implementing IAEA programmes.

A 35-member Board of Governors formulates the agency's policies. All IAEA members are part of the General Conference, which meets every year to discuss agency activities and its budget.

ISSUES

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The IAEA has no authority to act on its own, but relies on the willingness of nations to cooperate, or on a UN mandate. Its head, Mohamed ElBaradei, has said the agency enjoys only "uneven authority".

The problem became apparent in 2002, when North Korea expelled IAEA inspectors, making it almost impossible for the agency to monitor Pyongyang's nuclear activities.

Meanwhile, Iran's nuclear programme goes on despite the passing of an IAEA deadline for it to suspend uranium enrichment.

Israel, which analysts believe has nuclear warheads, has never signed the Non-Proliferation Treaty and so is not subject to IAEA inspections or sanctions.

The IAEA has been accused, most recently by Pakistan, of restricting the transfer of nuclear know-how to developing countries, hindering their social and economic development.

Environmental groups have criticised the agency's most basic policies. The Greenpeace organisation argues that the promotion of atomic energy increases the threat of weapons proliferation. It calls for the phasing-out of nuclear power generation.