The IAEA verification activity

Abstract

The article explores the verification activity by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). This activity involves three key aspects: the legal framework, goals, and measures and verification procedures to achieve these goals. The author analyzes legal and technical aspects of the IAEA verification activity, including the notions of diversion of nuclear material and a state’s noncompliance with its commitments related to corresponding safeguards agreements. The analysis is based on the systematic approach that takes into account the evolution of the safeguards system. The author proposes an original approach to reduce the risks of politicization of decisions on noncompliance of states with safeguards agreements by specifying the main notions related to the system of safeguards.