UN nuclear watchdog names Rafael Grossi as new head

The board of governors of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) on Wednesday appointed Rafael Mariano Grossi as new director general.

"In a meeting open to representatives of all IAEA Member States, the 35-nation Board of Governors appointed by acclamation Mr Grossi as Director General, to serve for four years from 3 December," the agency said in a statement.

The board decision will be submitted for approval to the IAEA General Conference, which will meet for a special session on Dec 2.

Grossi is currently Argentina’s ambassador to Austria and the country’s permanent representative to Vienna-based International Organizations, including the IAEA.

"The new Director General will be the IAEA’s sixth head since it was founded in 1957," the statement read.