MEDIA RELEASE
DEPARTMENT OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS AND TRADE AUSTRALIA
D1
Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency
(IAEA), His Excellency Dr Mohamed ElBaradei, will visit Australia
from 4 February as a guest of the Australian Government. This
is Dr ElBaradei's first visit to Australia.
Dr ElBaradei's program in Canberra and Sydney will include
a meeting with Mr Downer, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Senator
Minchin, Minister for Industry, Resources and Science. He will
also be involved in high-level officials' talks with Commonwealth
Departments and Agencies. Dr ElBaradei will also visit the Australian
Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation (ANSTO) in Sydney,
and conduct a tour of the Lucas Heights nuclear research reactor.
Australia has a longstanding and strong association with the
IAEA, given its fundamental role as one of the pillars of the
international nuclear non-proliferation regime. The IAEA serves
as the world's foremost international governmental forum for scientific
and technical co-operation in the peaceful use of nuclear technology.
It is also the key multilateral agency responsible for the implementation
of safeguards, nuclear safety and non-proliferation of nuclear
weapons. Australia has been actively involved in the work of the
IAEA since its establishment in 1957 and is a designated member
of the Board of Governors.