VIENNA, Sept. 26 (Xinhuanet) -- The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) on Monday unanimously approved, by acclamation, the appointment of Mohamed ElBaradei as its head for a third four-year term.

    ElBaradei, a former Egyptian diplomat who has headed the UN nuclear watchdog since 1997, was immediately sworn in here, at an IAEA general assembly of the agency's 138 member states.

IAEA Director General Mohamed ElBaradei makes a speech during the 49th regular session of the IAEA General Conference in Vienna Sept. 26. (Xinhua/Reuters)

    The agency's 35-nation board of governors unanimously nominated ElBaradei in June to continue as head of the organization after the United States dropped its opposition due to lack of support from the majority of other board member nations.

    Addressing the opening session of the week-long conference, ElBaradei reviewed a range of nuclear challenges and opportunities facing the agency and its member states.

    "As we look to the future, it is important that our vision be clear and ambitious - for much remains to be done," he said.

    ElBaradei, 63, specifically outlined his visions regarding the fields of nuclear power, nuclear safety, nuclear security, nuclear safeguards, and applications of nuclear science and technology.

    He referred to the priorities of bringing the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) back to the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) regime; of providing the required assurances about Iran's nuclear program; and of continuing to investigate the nature and extent of the illicit nuclear procurement network.

    In addition, ElBaradei pointed out the need to stop the dissemination of sensitive fuel cycle activities and to develop a framework for their multilateral management.

    "The current challenges to international peace and security, including those related to nuclear non-proliferation and nuclear arms control, cannot be wished away, and will continue to stare us in the face," he said.

    "All states must step up and pursue, at the highest policy levels, the urgently needed reforms to our global security system."

    As the world evolves towards a more mature global nuclear security framework, he said it is important to develop a "clearer overall picture of remaining security vulnerabilities." Enditem