Hey fam! This week, Vienna is buzzing as the IAEA kicked off its 69th General Conference, shining the spotlight on using nuclear energy for peaceful goals and defending global rules that stop the spread of nukes ⚛️✌️.
In a powerful opening message, Ghada Waly, UN Office at Vienna director-general, shared UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres' call: "Together, we can ensure that these tools advance development and safeguard humanity." In short: keep nukes in labs and power plants, not in arsenals.
IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi warned it's a make-or-break moment. With rising inequality, armed conflicts and terrorism, he told the UN Security Council our nuclear non-proliferation regime—basically the rulebook that keeps nuclear weapons in check—is under serious stress and needs our protection.
Over 2,500 experts and reps from IAEA member states, international organizations and non-governmental organizations are on deck until September 19. They'll review the agency's 2024 Annual Report, plan the 2026 budget, and debate everything from nuclear science and tech applications to safety, security and safeguards in Ukraine, the Middle East and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea.
Why it matters: For us digitally-driven Gen Z and millennials in South and Southeast Asia, global peace and tech go hand in hand. Ensuring nuclear advances stay peaceful means safer energy, smarter tech and a more secure world 🌏✨.
Reference(s):
IAEA conference urges protection of nuclear non-proliferation scheme
cgtn.com
