The IAEA Board is meeting today in closed session to commence the selection procedure for the appointment of the Director General.

Nominations for the post have come from Japan, which has nominated Ambassador Yukiya Amano, and South Africa, which has nominated Ambassador Abdul Samad Minty.

The two candidates were nominated in line with a process announced by the Board in October 2008. In order to be appointed, a candidate must secure a two-thirds vote of the 35-member IAEA Board of Governors by secret balloting.

In line with the IAEA Statute, the Director General is appointed by the Board of Governors with the approval of the General Conference for a term of four years.

IAEA Director General Mohamed ElBaradei′s term of office expires on 30 November 2009. He has served as Director General since 1997 and has stated that he is not available for a fourth term of office.