Annual report for 2002

Forty-five years after its founding, the International Atomic Energy Agency continues to serve as the focal point for worldwide co-operation in the peaceful uses of nuclear technology, for promoting global nuclear safety and, through its verification activities, for providing assurances that international undertakings to use nuclear facilities and materials for peaceful purposes only are being honoured.What follows is a survey of worldwide nuclear related developments in 2002, and how they affected the work of the Agency. The year 2002 was exceptionally busy for the Agency, particularly in the field of verification. Acting under the authority provided to it by safeguards agreements and additional protocols, the Agency continued to provide assurance of the peaceful uses of nuclear energy. Moreover, as the world's intergovernmental global forum for scientific and technical co-operation in the peaceful uses of nuclear technology, it was also active in the areas of nuclear technology applications and nuclear safety.The Agency achieved many successes during the year: initiating and supporting radiotherapy services; extending the tsetse fly eradication programme in Africa; and exploring new and safer methods of detecting land mines. The Agency also continued to promote the need for a strong safety culture, demonstrate nuclear power's relevance in meeting global energy needs, highlight acceptable waste management solutions, and introduce technological innovations. There are many challenges and problems still facing the Agency and its Member States.These include the need to: strengthen the safeguards and non-proliferation regime and extend its application; upgrade nuclear safety around the world; establish a strengthened nuclear security framework; assess the role of nuclear power for sustainable development; and promote the application of nuclear techniques. Dealing with these challenges requires concerted, co-operative international action