The Board of Commissioners of the Spanish Nuclear Safety Council (CSN) is deeply saddened by and regrets the death, at 72 years of age, of the Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), the Japanese diplomat Yukiya Amano, who since 2009 held the highest office of the organization that watches over the peaceful use of nuclear energy worldwide.

In 2009 he was elected Director General of the international agency, replacing the Egyptian Mohamed el-Baradei, being re-elected to the position in 2013 and in 2017, concurring with the 60th anniversary of the IAEA.

Under its three mandates, the IAEA made a determined advance in the achievement of the objectives of 'Atoms for Peace and Development', a task to which he devoted his maximum efforts during his ten years of tenure as the head of the organization.

Mr. Amano maintained a special relationship with the Spanish regulatory body, traveling to Madrid in 2010 to participate in the celebration of the 30th anniversary of the Spanish regulatory body, and in 2015, to hold several meetings with Spanish institutions, including the CSN. During this last visit Yukiya Amano highlighted the soundness of the relation between the IAEA and the CSN.

The Spanish regulatory body extends its condolences to his relatives, friends and all the staff of the IAEA, and recognizes its great contribution, as well as the dedication and commitment demonstrated by Mr. Amano towards nuclear and radiation safety at an international level.

The IAEA was created in 1957 as the world organization of the "Atoms for peace" within the United Nations system. From the beginning, it was given the mandate to work with its Member States and multiple partners around the world to promote the use of nuclear technologies for peaceful purposes and in conditions of technological and physical security.

Rest In Peace.

 

(Image: International Atomic Energy Agency)