Norway elected to the Board of Governors of the International Atomic Energy Agency

‘Norway gives high priority to international non-proliferation efforts. Having a seat on the IAEA Board of Governors makes it possible for Norway to be a strong advocate of joint solutions for the peaceful use of nuclear technology. This is an important element of Norway’s wide-ranging international efforts in the field of non-proliferation and nuclear disarmament,’ said Minister of Foreign Affairs Ine Eriksen Søreide. 

Norway is actively seeking to safeguard the position of the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) as the cornerstone of the disarmament and non-proliferation regime. One of the main elements of the treaty, and one of the IAEA’s main tasks, is to promote peaceful uses of nuclear technology. In addition to energy production, nuclear technology is used in the health sector, food production and food safety, water resource management and environmental protection. 

‘We recognise that all countries are entitled to use nuclear technology for peaceful purposes, provided that they meet the highest standards of safety and security. This is why international cooperation is so important in this field,’ said Ms Eriksen Søreide.

States that have ratified the NPT are required to conclude safeguards agreements with the IAEA. The IAEA safeguards system is the most important tool in international efforts to reveal any undeclared programmes for the development of nuclear weapons. The system of safeguards agreements is an independent tool for preventing proliferation and misuse of nuclear material and technology. One of the IAEA’s most important tasks is to report on Iran’s nuclear programme and to build international confidence in the implementation of the nuclear deal with Iran (JCPOA). 

The IAEA Board of Governors consists of representatives of 35 countries. It meets several times a year and makes recommendations to the General Conference on the IAEA’s programme and budget. Norway most recently had a seat on the Board for the period 2012–2014. The term of office is 2019–2021.