IAEA Urged to Play Larger Role in Peaceful Utility of Nuclear Energy
Belgium’s previous energy minister says the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) should undertake a higher role in advocating the safe and peaceful use of nuclear energy worldwide. Jean-Pol Poncelet, who is one of the five people striving to change the outgoing IAEA director general Mohammed ElBaradei in November, said that he believes the agency has three significant functions.
First, it should advocate the peaceful use of nuclear energy worldwide, he stated.
Second, it should monitor the safe use of nuclear energy by different nations.
Third, it should urge those nations that have not joined the Nuclear Safety Treaty to do so.
Poncelet said that the IAEA provides a platform for countries to share their experiences, exchange opinions and keep an open dialogue on nuclear issues.
In additional to professional knowledge about nuclear energy, Poncelet said, the next IAEA director general “needs to understand international politics and situations.”
He further stressed that as a result of an increasing number of non-nuclear states to develop nuclear technology, the responsibility of the IAEA will be greater.
He added that the institution will also require more funds in response to the new responsibility.
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