Lithuania elected to the Board of Governors of the International Atomic Energy Agency

On 15–19 September, during the 69th General Conference of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in Vienna (Austria), Lithuania was elected as a member of the IAEA Board of Governors for the period 2025–2027.

“Membership in the IAEA Board of Governors is a significant and long-awaited achievement for Lithuania, one that has taken nearly 20 years. As members of the Board of Governors, we will continue to strongly support the mission of the IAEA as a technical organization to promote the use of nuclear science and technology for peaceful purposes, as well as the mandate given to it by its Member States to prevent the misuse of nuclear materials for prohibited purposes. In today’s geopolitical situation, it is particularly important to safeguard the independence and professionalism of the organization, to which we will contribute constructively,” said Acting Minister of Energy Žygimantas Vaičiūnas.

“The experience of the Ignalina Nuclear Power Plant is unique not only in Lithuania but also internationally – particularly in the fields of decommissioning and radioactive waste management. By participating in the work of the IAEA Board of Governors, we will take on an advisory role whenever consultations on technical issues are required. Our accumulated expertise will enable us to make a constructive contribution to decisions that are important not only for Lithuania but also for the entire international nuclear community,” emphasized Linas Baužys, Director General of the Ignalina Nuclear Power Plant.

Membership in the Board of Governors will provide Lithuania with the opportunity to advocate for the uncompromising application of IAEA nuclear and radiation safety standards, thus ensuring the highest level of nuclear and radiation safety in nuclear energy projects on both a global and regional scale. Lithuania will also support the continued implementation and universal application of legally binding international conventions and voluntary codes of conduct. Furthermore, Lithuania will strongly support the IAEA’s technical cooperation and assistance activities, encouraging Member States to actively share knowledge and experience in various areas, including nuclear facility decommissioning, radioactive waste management, and nuclear and radiation safety. Lithuania will also unconditionally support the effective implementation of Member States’ safeguards agreements with the IAEA to protect the world from the misuse of nuclear materials in violation of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons.

Lithuania has previously served as a member of the IAEA Board of Governors once, during the 2007–2009 period. The Board of Governors is one of the two IAEA policymaking bodies, along with the annual General Conference. The Board consists of 35 Member States. It adopts resolutions, considers and makes recommendations to the General Conference on the IAEA’s financial statements, programme and budget, prepares annual reports on the activities of the IAEA, and addresses other issues within the competence of the organization. Currently, the IAEA comprises 181 Member States.