[en] Upon a decision of the Board of Governors, the IAEA is now engaged in substantive preparations for an international convention on nuclear safety. Part I of this paper examines member states' attitudes and outlines the process and the proposals culminating in the commencement of the negotiations. Part II then considers the possible elements of an ideal convention on nuclear safety. Section A surveys legal instruments in the fields of industrial safety and environmental protection that might serve as possible models for a solution, while Section B contains a commentary on the proposed structure and substance, with reference to the existing practice of states in relation to safety standards and external safety assessments. (author)