Anti-Radiation Pills

Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant

• It is located in south-eastern Ukraine and is the largest nuclear power plant in Europe and among the 10 largest in the world.
• It was built by the Soviet Union near the city of Enerhodar, on the southern shore of the Kakhovka Reservoir on the Dnieper River. 

International Atomic Energy Agency 

• Popularly known as the world’s “Atoms for Peace and Development” organisation, the IAEA is the international centre for cooperation in the nuclear field.
• It was established in 1957 as an autonomous organisation, at the height of the Cold War (1945-1991) between the US and the Soviet Union.
  • Post World War II (1945), the world got divided into two power blocs dominated by two superpowers, the Soviet Union and the US.
  • The two superpowers were primarily engaged in an ideological war between the capitalistic ideals of the West versus the communist ideals of the East.
  • It came to an end after the disintegration of the Soviet Union in 1991.
• Though established independently of the UN through its own international treaty, the agency reports to both the UN General Assembly and the Security Council.
• It works with the member states and multiple partners worldwide to promote the safe, secure and peaceful use of nuclear technologies.
• Functions and Contributions:
  • As the preeminent nuclear watchdog, the IAEA is entrusted with the task of upholding the principles of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, 1970.
  • Deals with the sovereign states and their pursuit of civil and military nuclear programmes.
  • It is also active in championing civil nuclear solutions to a number of areas like health, which is one of the main areas of peaceful application of nuclear know-how.
  • In recent years, the IAEA has also been active in dealing with climate change, pandemic containment and in the prevention of Zoonotic diseases.
• Concerns and Criticisms:
  • Lack of Executive Authority: It has proved ineffective in preventing power politics from influencing nuclear negotiations.
  • Lack of Enforcement Capability: Due to IAEA’s “uneven authority” as it has no power to override the sovereign rights of any member nation of the UN.
  • Secretive & Less Transparent: As a partner to some of the complex and high stakes diplomacy, the IAEA has an air of secrecy around its functions and is accused of not being transparent about its actions.
  • Non-challenging Nature: It never challenges the nuclear dominance of the five permanent members of the UNSC, who themselves hold some of the biggest nuclear arsenals of the world.
  • Selective Information Sharing: Allegations have also hinted that IAEA inspectors and observers share information with the US government.