THE nuclear community specifically and the public in general were deeply saddened by the passing of Yukiya Amano (pic), director-general of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), on July 18,2019. The first Asian diplomat to lead the IAEA, Amano steered the agency for nearly a decade from 2009 until his passing.
The IAEA was set up as the world’s “Atoms for Peace” organisation within the United Nations on July 29,1957 to promote and control the atom. It was given the mandate to work with UN Member States and multiple partners worldwide to promote safe, secure and peaceful nuclear technologies and prevent the proliferation of nuclear weapons.