INTERNATIONAL ATOMIC ENERGY AGENCY
Did you know that...• The first nuclear reactor was built in 1951.
• There were 17 nuclear reactors in 1960, 90 in 1970 and 263 in 1980.
• There are now 400 nuclear power plants in 31 countries.
• In the year 2000, nuclear power will supply 31 per cent of Western Europe's electricity, 15 per cent of Northern America's, 2.8 per cent of Southern America's and 2.4 per cent of Africa's.Peace and Security
Many people associate the word "atomic" with the bomb developed more than fifty years ago. Since then, nuclear technology has evolv-ed towards the peaceful use of the atom, and only five countries (the United States, Russia, China, the United Kingdom and France) are acknowledged to possess nuclear weapons.
However, 180 countries in the world have renounced to build or obtain nuclear weapons, in exchange for a commitment that they will have access to peaceful nuclear technology . . . This commitment is part of the permanent Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons.
To verify the implementation of these pledges, 200 IAEA experts conduct daily on-site inspections in every part of the world. Their aim is to ensure that the nuclear material held in 1000 nuclear installations in some 70 countries is not diverted away from legitimate peaceful uses to possible clandestine weapons' programmes. The Agency's thus contributes to international security and reinforces efforts to halt the spread of arms and move towards a world free of nuclear weapons.
Nuclear safety
Ever since the Chernobyl accident, nonspecialists have been fearful of nuclear energy, although the 440 or so existing reactors produce 17 per cent of the world's electricity. IAEA serves as a focal point for the exchange of information and the drawing up of guidelines and norms in the field of nuclear safety, as well as for the submission to governments of recommendations, at their request, on ways to improve the safety of reactors and avoid the risk of a new serious accident such as the one in Chernobyl.
Tsetse flies
Waridi Mussa is a veterinarian. At present, he is in Jozani, population 800, a small village in Zanzibar. "It really is incredible. Ten years ago, there wasn't a single head of cattle in the region. All the animals used to die because of tsetse flies. Nowadays, farmers can have up to 300 heads of cattle, all healthy. It's not only true here, but on the whole island. If this goes on, tsetse flies will have disappeared altogether in just a little while."
An IAEA-supported operation rears, irradiates and releases sterilized tsetse flies from a base in Tanga, Tanzania. Thanks to this new "sterile insect technique," several other regions in Africa will also be rid of this insect that affects not only cattle herds but also human populations.
The IAEA in brief
IAEA was established in 1957. Its main goals are:
• To promote the safe and peaceful applications of atomic energy while guarding against its destructive use;
• To serve as the global forum for sharing nuclear know-how and techniques among industrialized and developing countries alike.International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)
B.P. 100
Wagramerstrasse 5
A-1400 Vienna
Austria
Tel.: (43-1) 2060-0
Website: http://www.iaea.or.at
E-mail: Official.Mail@iaea.org
