The 53rd General Conference of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) opened Monday in the Vienna International Center (VIC).

Mohammed ElBaradei, director-general of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), addresses the 53rd General Conference of the IAEA in the Vienna International Center (VIC) in Vienna, capital of Austria, Sept. 14, 2009. The conference opened here on Monday approved the nomination of Japanese ambassador Yukiya Amano as new director-general to succeed Mohammed ElBaradei from Dec. 1, 2009. [Liu Gang/Xinhua]

The conference first approved the nomination of Japanese ambassador Yukiya Amano as new director-general to succeed Mohammed ElBaradei from Dec. 1, 2009.

In a speech at the meeting, Amano said he would not only vigorously promote the peaceful uses of nuclear energy, but also further enhance the authority of the IAEA nuclear monitoring as well as nuclear safeguards within his term.

The General Conference is the highest policymaking body of the IAEA. It meets annually to consider the works of the IAEA in the non-proliferation, nuclear safety, nuclear safeguards, nuclear security and the promotion and application of nuclear technology and to decide on a range of issues as well as the budget of the IAEA.

The General Conference will conclude on Sept. 18. About 1,500 delegates from 150 IAEA member states are attending the meeting.

Yukiya Amano, new director-general of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), addresses the 53rd General Conference of the IAEA in the Vienna International Center (VIC) in Vienna, capital of Austria, Sept. 14, 2009. [Liu Gang/Xinhua]