Join us for a fireside discussion with Rafael Grossi, Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). A seasoned diplomat and nuclear policy expert, Grossi has played a key role in global nuclear security and nonproliferation efforts. He will discuss the challenges and opportunities in international nuclear governance and safety.

Biography

International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi assumed office as the Agency’s sixth Director General on December 3, 2019. In September 2023 the IAEA's 67th General Conference approved by acclamation his re-appointment to serve a second four-year term of office starting December 3, 2023.

Mr Grossi is a diplomat with almost 40 years of experience in the fields of non-proliferation and disarmament. In 2013, he was appointed Ambassador of Argentina to Austria and Argentine Representative to the IAEA and other Vienna-based International Organizations.

Before assuming office as the IAEA’s Director General, Mr Grossi was president-designate of the 2020 Review Conference of the Parties to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT), and from 2014 to 2016 served as president of the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG). He was the NSG’s first president to serve two successive terms. In 2015, Mr Grossi presided over the Diplomatic Conference of the Convention of Nuclear Safety, securing unanimous approval for the Vienna Declaration on Nuclear Safety, an important milestone in international efforts following the 2011 Fukushima-Daiichi nuclear accident.

From 2010 to 2013, he served as Assistant Director General for Policy and Chief of Cabinet at the IAEA, having previously held senior positions in the Argentinian Foreign Service, including as Political Affairs Director General from 2007 to 2009.

Mr Grossi was Chief of Cabinet at the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) in The Hague from 2002 to 2007. Prior to this, he served in the Argentinian Foreign Ministry, including as Head of Embassy in Belgium and Luxemburg from 1998 to 2002, and as Argentine Representative to NATO from 1998 to 2001. Mr Grossi joined the Argentinian Foreign Ministry in 1985.

Mr Grossi is an International Gender Champion, promoting gender balance in the nuclear field.

He holds a PhD in International Relations, international History and Politics from University of Geneva, Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies, from which he also received his Master’s degree. He began his academic journey at the Pontifical Catholic University of Argentina and at the Diplomatic Academy of Argentina.  

Mr Grossi has received numerous national awards, including Brazil’s Order of Naval Merit; the National Medal on the occasion of 30th Anniversary of Independence of Kazakhstan; the Grand Decoration of Honour in Gold with Sash for Services to the Republic of Austria, and the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic and the Gran Cruz de la Orden de San Carlos of Colombia.

His honorary degrees and academic distinctions include, the Pontifical Catholic University of Argentina’s International Chair for Sustainable Development, Common Good and Peace; an honorary doctorate in law from the University of Buenos Aires; an honorary degree in Nuclear Engineering from Polytechnic University of Milan; and an honorary doctorate in Global Studies from Busan University of Foreign Studies.

Lunch will be provided.

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