By Monika Shifotoka, IAEA Office of Public Information and Communication
From 14-18 September 2026, leaders, scientists and national representatives from our 181 Member States will gather in Vienna, Austria, for the 70th IAEA General Conference — the 70th consecutive annual meeting of the IAEA’s Member States and its principal policymaking forum.
The General Conference is where representatives from 181 Member States review the Agency’s activities, consider key issues in the nuclear field and make decisions on its work and priorities. Discussions can range from welcoming new members and launching initiatives to address development challenges to strengthen safeguards and advance the peaceful uses of nuclear science and technology.
Held annually since the IAEA’s founding in 1957, the General Conference considers a wide range of issues related to the peaceful uses of nuclear technology, from energy production and cancer care to food security, water management, nuclear safety and security, and safeguards.
The decisions taken during the week help shape the IAEA’s programme of work for the year ahead, ensuring that its activities remain effective, relevant and responsive to global needs.
When and where is it happening?
The 70th IAEA General Conference is being held from 14 to 18 September 2026 at the Vienna International Centre (VIC) in Vienna, Austria.
Who attends?
Around 2500-3000 participants, the majority of whom represent IAEA Member States. The event also attracts around 100 delegates from international organizations and 200 from NGOs. The livestream is followed by 10 000-15 000 people around the world.
What happens in the Plenary?
The conference opens with a statement from the UN Secretary General, followed by a statement by the IAEA Director General summing up the key issues facing the Agency this year. Each Member State representative is given the opportunity to give a short national statement before the group starts working down the agenda. Items of discussion are either adopted by consensus or put to a vote, with some discussions on some resolutions going late into the night. See all statements as they are posted.
What are the resolutions adopted at the General Conference?
Resolutions adopted by the General Conference cover a wide range of issues — including potential applications for membership of the Agency, budget, activities related to nuclear science, technology and applications, technical cooperation, nuclear safety and security, and non-proliferation. They set the tone for international cooperation on nuclear issues. See here for the resolutions passed last year.
What else happens during the week?
During the week, side events and exhibitions are held, where attendees can explore new scientific developments, tour laboratories, and share knowledge and expertise on a breadth of subjects.
The conference also hosts the annual Scientific Forum, where scientists, policy makers and ministers hone in on a nuclear-related topic. Every year, the forum examines how nuclear science and technology can help address a pressing global challenge. Previous Scientific Forum themes include nuclear solutions for water sustainability, food security, nuclear energy for net zero, cancer care and more.
What big things can we expect at the 2026 General Conference?
Rays of Hope: The two-day Scientific Forum will be held from Tuesday 15 to Wednesday 16 September. It will showcase the impact of the IAEA’s flagship Rays of Hope initiative to expand access to cancer care where it is needed most, highlighting successful partnerships and innovative funding approaches, and exploring opportunities to further expand and sustain access to life-saving cancer care worldwide. The forum will be livestreamed here.
The first anniversary of the IAEA Visitor Centre in Seibersdorf, Austria, will be marked with a special side event and guided tour focused on the role of young people in shaping the future of nuclear science, technology and energy. Since opening in September 2025, the Centre has welcomed visitors from around the world, including school and university groups, to explore through interactive exhibits how nuclear science and technology help address global challenges. Watch this space for more information.
Member countries, the IAEA and partner organizations will host several side events that delve into nuclear issues. View the full list of events.
A number of countries will host national exhibitions in the VIC.
How do people from 181 countries communicate?
The working languages of the General Conference are Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian and Spanish. Delegates can switch between these languages thanks to the skills of the UN’s Interpretation Section.
Together, the 75 UN interpreters and 70 IAEA translators provide language services for the GC plenary and other key meetings, often back-to-back until past midnight. In 2025, the IAEA team translated over one million words for the General Conference!
If I can’t come in person, can I still follow?
Yes, the General Conference Sessions at the Plenary Hall, including the key addresses of officials and delegates, are streamed live during the whole week.
What happened at previous IAEA General Conferences?
In 2025, the IAEA ran a live conference blog with regular updates from the conference, complementing the daily highlights and regular news articles. You can look at what happened last year here and stay updated in real time for the 2026 General Conference from Monday, 14 September on our GC blog.
Follow the conversation on the IAEA’s social media channels using #IAEAGC and stay up to date via Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), LinkedIn, Instagram, and Threads.
