Behind the scenes at the International Atomic Energy Agency: The agency’s laboratories open their doors to virtual visitors

Visitors from around the world can now tour a greenhouse that grows coffee trees that are more resilient to climate change, dive into a rainforest ecosphere with fruit flies, or view some of the equipment used to control the peaceful use of nuclear materials, all from their laptop, tablet, or phone. In fact, as of today, 14 virtual tours of the IAEA laboratories are available on our website.

IAEA laboratories are an essential part of our technical and scientific analyzes and program implementation. “They are unique in the UN system,” said Director-General Rafael Mariano Grossi of the IAEA’s laboratories in Monaco, Austria, Vienna and Seibersdorf.

The laboratories, some of which date back to 1958, can now be visited by almost anyone who wants to learn more about using nuclear science and technology for development, how the IAEA helps countries do it, and tools for verifying that nuclear material remains in peaceful use – an activity known as safeguards.

“I am pleased to invite everyone to take a virtual tour of our laboratories and get a look behind the scenes as the agency works to implement science,” Mr. Grossi continued.

Visitors can tour the various laboratories used by researchers and technicians in the fields of food, agriculture, human health, environmental monitoring, and radiological control, and view the verification equipment used under safeguards.