1. Korea has been elected President of the 68th General Conference of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) at the opening plenary held in Vienna, Austria, on September 16. Ambassador Ham Sang Wook, Permanent Representative of the Republic of Korea to the International Organizations in Vienna, will preside over the 68th General Conference, which will take place from September 16 to 20. This is the second time that Korea has assumed the presidency of the IAEA General Conference since joining the IAEA as a founding member in 1957*.

* By assuming this year’s presidency, Ambassador Ham has now served as both Chair of the Board of Governors (2021-2022) and President of the General Conference at the IAEA.

2. The General Conference of the IAEA is tasked with making decisions on important issues regarding the agenda of the IAEA Board of Governors and the election of Board members, the adoption of resolutions, budget approvals, and deliberation on annual reports. With over 3,000 representatives from 178 member countries participating, the General Conference is the main annual event of the organization.

3.  As a top-five major nuclear energy country, Korea has a significant security interest in the IAEA’s areas of work. Korea’s national security, energy security, and human security are all intricately linked to topics that are discussed at the IAEA, such as the nuclear issues regarding North Korea, the development of nuclear energy, and the discharge of treated water from the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant. As the ninth-largest financial contributor to the IAEA, Korea contributes to various activities of the IAEA in the fields of nuclear safety, non-proliferation, the application of nuclear science and technology, and the implementation and inspection of safety measures.

4. Korea, a top-six exporter of nuclear power technology and the fifth-largest country in terms of nuclear power generation, has been playing an important role at the IAEA, and Korea’s assumption of this year’s IAEA presidency reflects its continued leadership and contributions to the IAEA.

5. At the 68th General Conference, IAEA member states will engage in discussions on key global security topics, such as the North Korean and Iranian nuclear issues, nuclear safety and security in Ukraine, the AUKUS alliance, and issues regarding the situation in the Middle East. Nuclear science and technology and its applications will also be on the agenda. As each of these agenda items is expected to draw lively discussions, the President of the General Conference is expected to play an important part in moderating and steering the discussions.

6. In his acceptance speech at the opening plenary, Ambassador Ham stated that it was an honor to be appointed President of the General Conference, and that he felt a great sense of responsibility in assuming that role. He also stated that as president, he would do his utmost to further bolster the IAEA’s contributions toward peace, development, and prosperity.