We are sharing the press release from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Estonia:
On 24 October, Estonian Ambassador to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Arti Hilpus, formally presented his credentials to the organisation’s Director General, Rafael Grossi.
Following the presentation ceremony, Ambassador Hilpus and Director General Grossi held discussions on Estonia’s technical cooperation with the IAEA, the Agency’s role in preventing the proliferation of nuclear weapons, and ensuring nuclear safety—including in the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant currently under Russian occupation.
“The IAEA plays a vital role in promoting nuclear safety and the peaceful use of nuclear energy,” said Hilpus. “It is essential that IAEA inspectors are granted access to energy infrastructure sites in Ukraine located in areas occupied by Russia.”
Hilpus emphasised that one of the gravest threats to nuclear safety today stems from Russia’s aggression against Ukraine, as military activity has endangered Europe’s largest nuclear power facility, Zaporizhzhia. He commended the IAEA inspectors for their dedicated efforts to uphold safety standards at the occupied plant.
He also noted Estonia’s strong appreciation for the IAEA’s ongoing support and expert guidance in preparing the country’s national nuclear energy programme.
The International Atomic Energy Agency was established in 1957 under the auspices of the United Nations and currently comprises 180 member states. Estonia joined the IAEA in 1992. The Agency’s core mandate includes promoting the peaceful use of nuclear energy, fostering international cooperation in the field, overseeing safeguards to prevent nuclear weapons proliferation, and supporting member states in achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals—particularly climate targets—through the safe application of nuclear technologies and the advancement of radiation safety.
Born in 1972, Arti Hilpus holds a degree in history from the University of Tartu and has completed the international course at the Geneva Centre for Security Policy. He began his career at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in 1996 as Director of the Personnel Division, later serving as Director of the EU Common Foreign and Security Policy Division (1999–2001 and 2005–2006), and Director of the Security Policy Division (2006–2008). From 2001 to 2004, he was posted to the Estonian Embassy in Berlin. Hilpus has served as Ambassador to Norway and Iceland (2009–2012), Bosnia and Herzegovina, North Macedonia, Montenegro and Serbia (2012–2015), Russia (2015–2018), and Latvia (2018–2022). Prior to his current appointment, he was Director of the Arms Control Division in the Ministry’s NATO and Transatlantic Relations Department (2022–2025). Since autumn 2025, Hilpus has served as Estonia’s Ambassador to Austria and to the international organisations based in Vienna. He resides in Vienna.
