New Chief Of UN Nuclear Watchdog Takes Up Post

New Chief Of UN Nuclear Watchdog Takes Up Post

New York, Dec 1 2009 11:10AM The new chief of the United Nations International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) began his four-year term today, voicing his commitment to tackling the many challenges facing the nuclear watchdog, including non-proliferation and nuclear security. “The situation surrounding the agency is stormy now. We have a lot of difficult challenges, but I would like to do my best,” Director General Yukiya Amano said at a meeting with staff at the agency’s headquarters in Vienna.

“I would like to address the global issues that include non-proliferation of nuclear weapons, enhancing nuclear security, addressing the energy need, providing good health care, and water management, among others.

“I will try to be an impartial, reliable, and professional Director General,” added the career diplomat and lawyer from Japan, who is now the fifth person to head the IAEA since it was founded in 1957.

Mr. Amano, who has a lengthy record of working on disarmament and non-proliferation issues, succeeded Mohamed ElBaradei, who headed the agency between 1998 and this year.

ENDS

© Scoop Media