The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) serves as the world's central inter-governmental forum for scientific and technical co-operation in the peaceful use of nuclear technology. A specialised agency within the United Nations system, the IAEA headquarters are in Vienna. Established as an autonomous organisation under the United Nations (UN) in 1957, the IAEA represents the culmination of international efforts to make a reality of US President Eisenhower's proposal in his Atoms for Peace speech before the UN General Assembly in 1953, where he envisioned the creation of an international body to control and develop the use of atomic energy. By 29 July 1957, eighteen States had ratified the Statute of the IAEA thus bringing it into force and now the Agency's broad spectrum of services, programmes, and activities is based on the needs of its 134 Member States.

The main aims of the IAEA are to:

• assist its Member States, in the context of social and economic goals, in planning for and using nuclear science and technology for various peaceful purposes, including the generation of electricity, and facilitate the transfer of such technology and knowledge in a sustainable manner to developing Member States;

• develop nuclear safety standards and, based on these standards, promote the achievement and maintenance of high levels of safety in applications of nuclear energy, and the protection of human health and the environment against ionising radiation;

• verify through its inspection system that States comply with their commitments, under the Non-Proliferation Treaty and other non-proliferation agreements, to use nuclear material and facilities only for peaceful purposes.

There are two policymaking organs within the IAEA, the General Conference and the Board of Governors. Working jointly, these two organs decide the Agency's programme and budget and appoint the Director General of the IAEA. The General Conference is composed of representatives of all IAEA Member States. The Board of Governors has 35 members, of which 13 are designated by the Board and 22 are elected by the General Conference.

The Board of Governors meets five times a year; in March and June, in September immediately before and after the General Conference and in November immediately after the meeting of the IAEA’s Technical Assistance and Co-operation Committee. They examine and make recommendations to the General Conference on the IAEA's accounts, programme and budget, and consider applications for membership. The Board also approves safeguards agreements and the publication of the IAEA's safety standards, and overseas the work of the Agency more generally.

The General Conference meets once a year to consider the Board of Governors' report for the previous year; approve the accounts and programme and budget; and approve any applications for membership. The Conference also conducts a wide ranging general debate on the IAEA's policies and programme and examines a variety of matters brought to its attention by the Board of Governors, the Director General, and individual Member States.

The IAEA’s financial resources fall into two categories: the regular budget and voluntary contributions. The Regular Budget for 2002 amounts to US$ 234 million. The target for voluntary contributions to the Technical Co-operation Fund for 2002 was established at US$ 73 million. At the end of 2000, the number of established staff members in the IAEA Secretariat was 1,791 including staff from around 95 different countries.