The Goi Peace Foundation in Japan presented the IAEA with a peace award for its contributions to world peace and security. The award -- a six-sided "Peace Pole" with the message "May Peace Prevail on Earth" in the six official languages of the UN -- was presented during a ceremony 10 July at IAEA headquarters in Vienna.

In presenting the award, Mr. Hiroo Saionji, President of the Foundation, commended the IAEA's work in fields of nuclear safety, verification, and development. IAEA Deputy Director General David Waller accepted the award on the IAEA's behalf. In paying tribute to the Foundation's ideals and goals, Mr. Waller highlighted the IAEA's dedicated efforts to ensure the safe and peaceful development of nuclear technologies, a mission rooted in the "Atoms for Peace" vision that led to the Agency's creation in the 1950s.

The Goi Foundation presents the Peace Award annually to honor individuals and organizations in various fields that have contributed to the advancement of world peace and humanity.