IAEA General Conference 2025: Nuclear Science and Diplomacy in Uncertain Times

PeopleDiplomats ♦ Published: September 23, 2025; 16:15 ♦ (Vindobona)

The 69th General Conference of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in Vienna was a week-long conference, considered the organization's most important political decision-making body, bringing together over 3,000 participants from 153 member states. The focus was on global challenges such as the growing threat of nuclear proliferation and climate change, which the IAEA aims to address through its unique mandate.

Austrian Foreign Minister Beate Meinl-Reisinger delivered a speech at the opening of the General Conference of the International Atomic Energy Agency. / Picture: © BMEIA Bundesministerium für Europa, Integration und Äußeres / Michael Gruber / Flickr Attribution 2.0 Generic (CC BY 2.0 DEED)

In her speech at the opening of the conference on September 15, Austrian Foreign Minister Beate Meinl-Reisinger emphasized the central importance of the IAEA in a world marked by “fear of mistrust” and “hope in science.” She underscored the organization's impartial and tireless work as a practical example of international cooperation.

A key concern for the foreign…