Vienna, Austria – The International Atomic Energy Agency’s 70th General Conference will bring together leaders, scientists and national representatives from 181 Member States in Vienna, Austria, from 14 to 18 September 2026 to discuss nuclear science, technology and the Agency’s priorities for the year ahead.
The conference, which has been held annually since the IAEA was founded in 1957, remains the Agency’s principal policymaking forum. Representatives of Member States will review the IAEA’s activities, consider developments in the nuclear field and make decisions affecting its programmes and priorities.
The 70th General Conference will take place at the Vienna International Centre, with between 2,500 and 3,000 participants expected to attend. Most will represent IAEA Member States, while about 100 delegates from international organisations and 200 representatives of non governmental organisations are also expected. 
Thousands more people are expected to follow proceedings remotely, with the livestream attracting between 10,000 and 15,000 viewers worldwide.
The discussions will cover a broad range of issues linked to the peaceful use of nuclear technology, including energy production, cancer treatment, food security, water management, nuclear safety and security, safeguards and nuclear non proliferation.
Decisions reached during the week will help determine the IAEA’s programme of work for the following year and guide international cooperation on nuclear matters.
Plenary sessions
The conference will open with a statement from the United Nations Secretary General, followed by remarks from the IAEA Director General on the major issues facing the Agency.
Representatives from each Member State will then have an opportunity to deliver a national statement before delegates begin working through the conference agenda.
Items under consideration can either be adopted by consensus or put to a vote. Some discussions on resolutions may continue late into the night as countries negotiate their positions.
The statements delivered during the conference will be made available as they are posted.
Resolutions to shape nuclear cooperation
Resolutions adopted by the General Conference will address areas including applications for IAEA membership, the Agency’s budget, nuclear science, technology and applications, technical cooperation, nuclear safety and security, and non proliferation.
The resolutions provide a framework for international cooperation on nuclear issues and influence the direction of the Agency’s work.
Scientific Forum and side events
Beyond the formal conference sessions, delegates will participate in exhibitions, laboratory tours and side events covering developments in nuclear science and technology.
The annual Scientific Forum will also take place during the conference, bringing together scientists, policymakers and ministers to examine how nuclear technology can contribute to tackling major global challenges.
Previous forums have focused on subjects such as water sustainability, food security, nuclear energy and net zero, and cancer care.
This year’s two day Scientific Forum, titled around the IAEA’s Rays of Hope initiative, will run from Tuesday 15 to Wednesday 16 September.
The forum will examine efforts to expand access to cancer care in countries where services are most limited. It will showcase partnerships and innovative approaches to funding while considering ways of expanding and sustaining access to cancer treatment around the world.
The forum will also be available through livestreaming.
The first anniversary of the IAEA Visitor Centre in Seibersdorf, Austria, will be marked through a special side event and guided tour focusing on the role of young people in the future of nuclear science, technology and energy.
The centre opened in September 2025 and has since welcomed visitors from different parts of the world, including school and university groups. Through interactive exhibitions, visitors can learn how nuclear science and technology are being used to address global challenges.
IAEA Member States, partner organisations and the Agency itself will host several other side events examining different aspects of nuclear science and policy.
A number of countries will also stage national exhibitions at the Vienna International Centre during the conference.
Six languages used
With representatives from 181 countries attending, the General Conference will operate in six official working languages: Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian and Spanish.
The United Nations Interpretation Section will provide simultaneous interpretation services, allowing delegates to communicate across the different languages.
A team of 75 UN interpreters and 70 IAEA translators will provide language services for plenary sessions and other key meetings, often working through successive meetings until after midnight.
During the 2025 General Conference, the IAEA translation team translated more than one million words.
Proceedings available online
People unable to attend the conference in Vienna will still be able to follow the proceedings remotely.
The General Conference plenary sessions, including key addresses by officials and national delegates, will be streamed live throughout the week.
