“Due to geopolitical divides, countries are having second
thoughts about non-proliferation or their non-proliferation
obligations, in the sense that many countries were relying or are
still relying on nuclear umbrellas which they might feel are not
so protective as they used to be in the past… Without wishing to
exaggerate things, there is a perception that the nuclear factor
is back on the table and it is growing in its relevance in terms
of decision making, in terms of what nations do.”
Rob Young speaks to Rafael Grossi, Director General of the
International Atomic Energy Agency.
The IAEA was founded in 1957, and is an autonomous international
organisation within the UN system. Its job is to promote the
safe, secure and peaceful use of nuclear technology, and to check
that nuclear material is not used for military purposes,
including nuclear weapons.
Grossi, a former Argentinian diplomat, was appointed in 2019 and
has steered the IAEA through multiple challenges. When Russia
invaded Ukraine in 2022, concerns were raised about the prospect
of nuclear weapons being used, but also about Ukraine’s nuclear
power plants coming under attack.
The organisation’s resources were stretched further still when
the recent Middle East conflict began. The US, along with Israel,
have had concerns over Iran’s nuclear ambitions for many years,
and reject the country’s claim that their nuclear program is only
for peaceful purposes.
Rafael Grossi is considered a front-runner to become the new
Secretary General of the UN which he believes should be accepted
more as a keeper of the peace.
Thank you to the Newsday team for their help in making this
programme. The Interview brings you conversations with people
shaping our world, from all over the world. The best interviews
from the BBC, including episodes with Russia’s nuclear envoy
Mikhail Ulyanov, UNICEF chief Catherine Russell, and Artemis 2
astronaut Victor Glover. You can listen on the BBC World Service
on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays at 0800 GMT. Or you can listen
to The Interview as a podcast, out three times a week on BBC
Sounds or wherever you get your podcasts.
Presenter: Rob Young Producers: Sharon Hemans, Farhana Haider,
and Ben Cooper Editor: Damon Rose
Get in touch with us on email TheInterview@bbc.co.uk and use the
hashtag #TheInterviewBBC on social media.
(Image: Rafael Grossi. Credit: Reuters)
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