Switzerland is a founding member of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), a specialized Agency within the United Nations family, founded in 1957.

The two main Offices responsible for IAEA matters in Switzerland are the Federal Office of Energy and the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs.

As an IAEA member Switzerland takes an active part in different IAEA fora such as the General Conference, which is the supreme governing body of the IAEA that meets in regular session every year, and the Board of Governors, that meets five times annually. The latter participation takes place on a rotational basis with other countries of the Western European Group. Currently Switzerland is a member of the Board of Governors for the period 2007-2010.

The Swiss contribution to the IAEA amounts to about 5 million CHF per year or 1.2% of the total regular budget of IAEA. In addition Switzerland supports the IAEA Technical Cooperation Fund with about 1 million CHF every year.