The IAEA General Conference, the annual policy-setting meeting of senior government representatives of its 132 Member States, will meet in Vienna from 17-21 September. The five-day Conference will open with a statement in the name of the Secretary-General of the United Nations, followed by an overview by IAEA Director General, Mohamed ElBaradei, of the broad areas of the IAEA's work. The General Conference is also expected to endorse a further four-year term for Mr. ElBaradei, and to approve applications for two new Member States, as well as the IAEA's programme and budget for the years 2002-2003.

The General Conference will also examine a variety of matters, including: measures to strengthen international co-operation in nuclear, radiation, transport and waste safety; strengthening of the Agency's activities related to nuclear science, technology and applications; strengthening the effectiveness and improving the efficiency of the safeguards system; and measures to improve the security of nuclear materials and other radioactive materials, among other issues. An agenda of the five-day Conference is available on the IAEA website: www.urlse.cn.

Press Briefing with IAEA Public Information Director David Kyd to provide an overview of the General Conference:

When: 9:00, Monday, 17 September

Where:

Accreditation: A press accreditation desk is open at the Austria Centre from 15.00-18.00 on Sunday, 16 September and from 8:00 a.m. on Monday, 17 September. Please bring a valid press ID.