International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Director General Yukiya Amano laid out the IAEA agenda for 2016 in an address this week, looking back at 2015 and ahead to this year.
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"Last year was an exceptionally challenging one for the agency," Amano said. "We can take pride in important achievements in all areas of our activities...I look forward to working closely with you in tackling the many challenges we face," Amano said."
Amano also said the agency’s Scientific Forum, set to take place in September, might focus on the development of peaceful nuclear technology. The IAEA also has reaffirmed its commitment to assist member states in helping the international community reach Sustainable Development Goals set by the United Nations (U.N.) in September 2015. Amano said the IAEA provided assistance to countries for the previous set of goals, named the Millennium Development Goals.
During his address, Amano said renovations at the IAEA’s nuclear applications laboratory in Seibersdorf, Austria, will facilitate the construction of a new building. Amano expressed gratitude toward state parties that have provided support for this project and urged others to do the same.
Amano also spoke of progress related to the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action to monitor Iran's nuclear program, an agreement that was formally implemented late last week.
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