International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) 67th General Conference

Under Secretary for Arms Control and International Security Ambassador Bonnie D. Jenkins will travel to Vienna, Austria on September 24-28 to attend the 67th General Conference of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). She will accompany Secretary of Energy Jennifer Granholm, head of the U.S. delegation, Christopher Hanson, Chair of the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, and Jill Hruby, Under Secretary for Nuclear Security of the U.S. Department of Energy and Administrator of the National Nuclear Security Administration.

While in Vienna, the Under Secretary will attend bilateral meetings, side events, and outreach engagements on nuclear-related issues to emphasize U.S. commitment to nonproliferation and countering weapons of mass destruction terrorism, reiterate U.S. support of Ukraine, and promote civil-nuclear partnerships.

The Under Secretary will also participate in a press event to reflect on the United States’ 70-year commitment to the peaceful uses of nuclear technology and will also meet with young professionals in nuclear energy.

The Bureau of International Security and Nonproliferation’s Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary for Nonproliferation Policy Charlie Mahaffey will accompany Under Secretary Jenkins.

The IAEA General Conference

The Chair of the Board for the unexpired term of office for 2022-2023 is Mr. Ivo Sramek, Governor from the Czech Republic. The Agency is facing a serious liquidity challenge due to a delay in receipt of Regular Budget assessed contributions from Member States. The total outstanding balance of overdue assessed contributions amounts to approximately €220 million.

Today, 410 nuclear power reactors operating in 31 countries make up almost 369 gigawatts of installed capacity, providing about a 10 per cent of the world’s total electricity.

IAEA initiatives beyond nonproliferation, safety and security include:

• Atoms4Food which will support Member States in increasing food production, food safety, agricultural planning and nutrition programming, using nuclear and isotopic techniques.
• The IAEA’s NUTEC Plastic’s initiative against plastic in the ocean through harmonization of operational protocols for the collection and analysis of microplastics, as well as implementing radiation recycling technology to convert plastic waste into high-quality products
• Zoonotic Disease Integrated Action (ZODIAC) project. The new ZODIAC Respiratory Disease Phenotype Repository will use artificial intelligence to analyse big data from research conducted all over the world to help identify emerging diseases. 
• At December's COP28, in the United Arab Emirates. The IAEA will again host a nuclear-themed pavilion "to engage with the global climate community."