Top News The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) on Monday (July 22, 2019) announced the death of IAEA Director General Yukiya Amano at a time when he was preparing to leave office due to an unspecified illness.
Amano died at the age of 72 and has been director general of the IAEA since 2009 and led the UN body during a period of intense diplomatic efforts related to Iran's nuclear program.
Amano was preparing to leave office in March, long before the end of his third four-year term, which was supposed to end on Nov. 30, 2021.
The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) announced in September that Amano was under an unspecified medical procedure. Diplomats said the nature of his illness was forbidden to talk about within the agency, but it seemed more and here with every appearance in public. "The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) secretariat deeply regrets the death of Director General Yukiya Amano," the IAEA secretariat said in a statement.
The notice did not specify a timeframe for choosing who would succeed him, but the race for the post has begun to take shape since last week when it emerged he would step down early.
Rafael Grosi, Argentina's ambassador to the IAEA, is seeking to take over. Diplomats say Cornell Ferrotta, the agency's chief coordinator and Romania representative, who is actually Amano's director, will likely run. Others may join the competition.
Amano was first elected director of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in 2009, replacing Mohamed ElBaradei, and in November 2017 began a new four-year term. The IAEA, which includes 171 countries, plays a key role in combating nuclear proliferation as a means of ensuring that member states of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) respect their obligations under this framework.
(Reuters, AFP)
-
In pictures – "The Campaign to Eliminate Nuclear Weapons – ICANN" in the eyes of global figures
Pioneering efforts
"The organization is rewarded for its work to draw attention to the catastrophic consequences of any use of nuclear weapons, and to its early efforts to reach a treaty to ban such weapons." Norwegian Nobel Committee chairwoman Perret Rice Anderson praised the work of the campaign after announcing her Nobel Peace Prize this year.
-
In pictures – "The Campaign to Eliminate Nuclear Weapons – ICANN" in the eyes of global figures
African support
Former Archbishop of South Africa, winner of the Nobel Peace Prize in 1984 and the 2007 Gandhi Peace Prize, Desmond Tutu, called for support for the campaign. "With your support, we can achieve all ICAN goals towards the total elimination of nuclear weapons," he said.
-
In pictures – "The Campaign to Eliminate Nuclear Weapons – ICANN" in the eyes of global figures
Support from adults
"I can only imagine the world without nuclear weapons, and I support the ICAN," said Dalai Lama, spiritual leader of Tibet, for his support for the campaign to maintain world peace regardless of political or religious affiliations.
-
In pictures – "The Campaign to Eliminate Nuclear Weapons – ICANN" in the eyes of global figures
United nations
The UN's Nobel Peace Prize for 2018, the International Campaign to Eliminate Nuclear Weapons, is a "good signal" for the conclusion of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), UN spokeswoman in Geneva Alessandra Filucci said.
-
In pictures – "The Campaign to Eliminate Nuclear Weapons – ICANN" in the eyes of global figures
Ban Ki-moon
"I salute the international campaign for the elimination of nuclear weapons to work with this commitment and creativity," said Ban Ki-moon, the former UN Secretary-General, for his support of the campaign since its inception.
-
In pictures – "The Campaign to Eliminate Nuclear Weapons – ICANN" in the eyes of global figures
Art also praises "ICANN"
Japanese artist and musician Yoko Ono, who launched a landmark Peace Peace Tower on Iceland's Vidi Island in 2007, said, "We can do it together!" With your help, our voice will be stronger. " The campaign was seen as a collective effort that needed encouragement and support to achieve its goals. Prepared by: Mariam Marghish
