[en] The International Atomic Energy Agency serves as the world's central intergovernmental forum for scientific and technical co-operation in the field of the peaceful uses of nuclear energy. It is an autonomous organization, established on 29 July 1957, in accordance with a decision of the General Assembly of the United Nations. It carries out its mandate in close co-operation with other organizations, both national and international. There are currently 112 Member States. Its objectives, structure and financial resources are characterized in brief. The IAEA provides legal services and advice in the negotiation, drafting and conclusion of various types of international agreements, most notably safeguards agreements and international conventions pertaining to the use of nuclear energy. The IAEA serves as an international clearing-house of information on nuclear energy issues for use by Member States, national governments, international organizations, the nuclear industry, scientists and technicians in the nuclear field, the media and the general public