Agency work commended in UN General Assembly

The report was presented by Dr Sigvard Eklund, Director General, who emphasised the impetus of nuclear energy in the world by noting that in the year since his previous report the estimates of power from this source which might be installed by 1980 had doubled, rising from 150 000 to 300 000 megawatts electric. He outlined some of the obligations which this development put on the Agency's programme in fostering practical uses of all branches of nuclear science as well as improving methods of exchanging information. In addition to speaking of power programmes, desalination possibilities, the new concept of energy centres, mineral prospecting, uses of radiation and isotopes and the development of a computer-based nuclear information system, he affirmed that should the General Assembly consider it desirable the Agency had the competence to act as a co-ordinator of radioactive waste disposal. It was also prepared to undertake any responsibility placed upon it should the Assembly decide on holding a fourth International Conference on the Peaceful Uses of Atomic Energy during 1970-71. (author)