The International Conference on the Peaceful Uses of Atomic Energy was a series of expert meetings in Geneva, Switzerland, focusing on civilian uses of nuclear energy and developments in nuclear engineering. Four conferences were hosted in total, each with significant contributions from nations with nuclear programs and expertise in the field, e.g. the United States, Soviet Union, Great Britain, and India. Large volumes of unclassified information were shared and documented in the United Nations' proceedings.
The first conference, held in Geneva from 8 to 20 August 1955, was organized by Danish physicist Niels Bohr, who played a central role in promoting international cooperation on the peaceful uses of nuclear energy. During the conference on 10th August 1955, Bohr delivered an address titled “Physical Science and Man’s Position,” in which he reflected on the broader implications of atomic science and humanity’s role, speaking as part of the program of evening lectures given at the conference. No.Date1.August 8 to 20, 19552.September 1 to 13, 19583.August 31 to September 9, 19644.September 6 to 16, 1971 Before the conference, the Atoms for Peace program set the course for international cooperation and a comprehensive effort to address nuclear issues during the Cold War. Shortly after the first meeting in 1957, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) was founded with the mission to promote the peaceful use of nuclear energy. Through the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) of 1968, the IAEA was also tasked with preventing the diversion of nuclear technology and materials for military purposes.
Publications Large quantities of scientific papers, colloquially known (at the time) as the Geneva Papers, were published in book form for the conferences. The publications are in English, although some translations have also been published. Individual books have been digitized and made available through the UN Archives (see citations and web links).
Proceedings of the International Conference on the Peaceful Uses of Atomic Energy (8–20 August 1955) Vol.Title1The World’s Requirements for Energy; The Role of Nuclear Power2Physics; Research Reactors3Power Reactors4Cross Sections important to Reactor Design5Physics of Reactor Design6Geology of Uranium and Thorium7Nuclear Chemistry and the Effects of Irradiation8Production Technology of the Materials Used for Nuclear Energy9Reactor Technology and Chemical Processing10Radioactive Isotopes and Nuclear Radiations in Medicine11Biological Effects of Radiation12Radioactive Isotopes and Ionizing Radiations in Agriculture, Physiology and Biochemistry13Legal, Administrative, Health and Safety Aspects of Large-Scale Use of Nuclear Energy14General Aspects of the Use of Radioactive Isotopes; Dosimetry15Applications of Radioactive isotopes and Fission Products in Research and Industry16Record of the Conference17Index of the Proceedings
Proceedings of the 2nd United Nations International Conference on the Peaceful Uses of Atomic Energy (1–13 September 1958) Vol.Title1Progress in Atomic Energy2Survey of Raw Material Resources3Processing of Raw Materials4Production of Nuclear Materials and Isotopes5Properties of Reactor Materials6Basic Metallurgy and Fabrication of Fuels7Reactor Technology8Nuclear Power Plants, Part 19Nuclear Power Plants, Part 210Research Reactors11Reactor Safety and Control12Reactor Physics13Reactor Physics and Economics14Nuclear Physics and Instrumentation15Physics in Nuclear Energy16Nuclear Data and Reactor Theory17Processing Irradiated Fuels and Radioactive Materials18Waste Treatment and Environmental Aspects of Atomic Energy19The Use of Isotopes: Industrial Use20Isotopes in Research21Health and Safety: Dosimetry and Standards22Biological effects of Radiation23Experience in Radiological Protection24Isotopes in Biochemistry and Physiology, Part 125Isotopes in Biochemistry and Physiology, Part 226Isotopes in Medicine27Isotopes in Agriculture28Basic Chemistry in Nuclear Energy29Chemical Effects of Radiation30Fundamental Physics31Theoretical and Experimental Aspects of Controlled Nuclear Fusion32Controlled Fusion Devices33Index of the Proceedings
Proceedings of the 3rd International Conference on the Peaceful Uses of Atomic Energy (31 August - 9 September 1964) Vol.Title1Progress in Atomic Energy2Reactor Physics3Reactor Studies and Performance4Reactor Control5Nuclear Reactors – I. Gas-cooled and Water-cooled Reactors6Nuclear Reactors – II. Fast Reactors and Advanced Concepts7Research and Testing Reactors8Reactor Engineering and Equipment9Reactor Materials10Nuclear Fuels – I. Fabrication and Reprocessing11Nuclear Fuels – II. Types and Economics12Nuclear Fuels – Ill. Raw Materials13Nuclear Safety14Environmental Aspects of Atomic Energy and Waste Management15Special Aspects of Nuclear Energy and Isotope Applications16List of Papers and Indexes
Proceedings of the 4th International Conference on the Peaceful Uses of Atomic Energy (6 - 16 September 1971) Vol.Title1Opening and closing speeches; special talks; world energy needs and resources, and the role of nuclear energy; national and international organizations; narrative of the exhibits2Performance of nuclear plants; costing of nuclear plants; fuel management3Safety aspects of nuclear plants; legal aspects of nuclear energy4Integration of nuclear plants in electrical networks; integrated planning of nuclear industry; fuel materials technology5Breeder and advanced converter reactors6Small and medium power reactors; desalination and agro-industrial complexes; role of research reactors; impact of nuclear energy in developing countries7Advanced energy concepts; peaceful nuclear explosions; special applications, including ship propulsion; controlled thermonuclear reactions; application of transuranium isotopes8Uranium and thorium ore resources; fuel fabrication and reprocessing9Isotope enrichment; fuel cycles; safeguards10Effects of irradiation on fuels and materials11Health physics and radiation protection; radioactive waste management; the environment and public acceptance12Nuclear methods in food production; education and training, and public information13Medical applications; radiation biology14Applications of nuclear techniques in industry and natural resources15Indexes and lists
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