Japan’s Yukiya Amano is to be the new head of the International Atomic Energy Agency.

He will succeed Egypt’s Mohammed el Baradei, whose third term as head of the agency ends in November. The Japanese diplomat was chosen over the South African Abdul Samad Minty.

Once in office, Mr Amano will have to deal with such challenges as Iran's expanding uranium enrichment programme, alleged military nuclear activity in Iran and Syria, and North Korea's atomic tests.

Photo by vaXzine (flickr)