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The International Atomic Energy Agency’s annual General Conference, which took place on 14-18 September 2009 at the Agency’s headquarters in Vienna, was presided over by New Zealand’s Ambassador to the IAEA, Jennifer Macmillan. It was the first time in the Agency’s history that a New Zealander was president of the General Conference.
Established in 1957 as an autonomous organisation under the United Nations, the IAEA is charged with implementing safeguards under the Nuclear Non‑Proliferation Treaty (NPT) to prevent the proliferation of nuclear weapons. Nuclear safety and security and the peaceful uses of nuclear energy are the other two main pillars of the Agency’s mandate.
New Zealand’s presidency of the 2009 General Conference is part of our continuing commitment to the IAEA’s essential work. New Zealand is also a current member (for a two-year term) of the Agency’s Board of Governors.
Jennifer Macmillan presides over the International Atomic Energy Agency's annual conference in September 2009 (Photo courtesy of the IAEA and Dean Calma)