Amano to stay until 2021

18 September 2017

Yukiya Amano was appointed to serve another term as director-general of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) at its General Conference today. He took up the role in 2009 and is now to stay until late 2021.

Yukia Amano - 460 (D Calma - IAEA)
Yukiya Amano (Image: IAEA/Dean Calma)

Amano became director-general on 1 December 2009 and he therefore saw the agency through the 2011 Fukushima accident in his home country of Japan, and directed its response. Today he said: "All lessons from the Fukushima Daiichi accident have now been incorporated into all IAEA nuclear safety requirements ensuring they become part of global safety practice."

Amano is also known for amending the IAEA's motto from its original 'Atoms for Peace' to 'Atoms for Peace and Development' which aligns the IAEA more closely with other UN bodies working on theĀ 17 goals for sustainable development. Under his leadership, the IAEA has also stepped up its support to countries looking to introduce nuclear power.

Today the General Conference approved another term for Amano by acclamation to cover the period from 1 December this year until 30 November 2021.

Researched and written
By World Nuclear News