Hans Blix facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Hans Blix
Blix during a debate about NATO in Stockholm, 2015
1st Executive Chairman of the United Nations Monitoring, Verification and Inspection Commission
In office 1 March 2000 – 30 June 2003
Preceded by	None
Succeeded by	Dimitris Perrikos
3rd Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency
In office 1981 – 1 December 1997
Preceded by	Sigvard Eklund
Succeeded by	Mohamed ElBaradei
Minister for Foreign Affairs
In office 18 October 1978 – 12 October 1979
Prime Minister	Ola Ullsten
Preceded by	Karin Söder
Succeeded by	Ola Ullsten
President, World Federation of United Nations Associations
In office 2006 – 11 August 2009
Preceded by	Rhyl Jansen
Succeeded by	Park Soo-gil
Personal details
Born	Hans Martin Blix (1928-06-28) 28 June 1928 (age 96) Uppsala, Sweden
Political party	Liberal People's Party

Hans Martin Blix (born 28 June 1928) is a Swedish diplomat and politician. A diplomat helps countries work together peacefully. A politician works in government to make decisions for their country.

Blix was the Foreign Minister of Sweden from 1978 to 1979. He later became the head of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). This agency works to promote the safe use of nuclear energy.

He was the first person from a Western country to visit the site of the Chernobyl disaster in 1986. He helped lead the IAEA's response to this major nuclear accident.

From 2000 to 2003, Blix led the United Nations Monitoring, Verification and Inspection Commission (UNMOVIC). This group searched Iraq for dangerous weapons of mass destruction. His team did not find any such weapons.

In 2010, Blix started leading an advisory group for the United Arab Emirates' nuclear power program. He also used to be the president of the World Federation of United Nations Associations. This group supports the work of the United Nations.

Hans Blix's Early Life and Career

Hans Blix was born in Uppsala, Sweden. His father and grandfather were both professors. He studied at several universities, including Uppsala University and Columbia University. He earned his PhD from the University of Cambridge.

In 1959, he earned a law degree in international law. The next year, he became a professor of international law at Stockholm University.

From 1962 to 1978, Blix was part of Sweden's team at the Disarmament Conference in Geneva. This conference worked on reducing weapons around the world. He also held other important jobs in the Swedish government. From 1961 to 1981, he was part of Sweden's group at the United Nations.

From 1978 to 1979, Blix served as Sweden's Foreign Minister. This means he was in charge of Sweden's relationships with other countries.

In 1980, Blix led a campaign for the Liberal Party. This campaign supported keeping Sweden's nuclear energy program.

Leading the International Atomic Energy Agency (1981–1997)

Hans Blix became the Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in 1981. He held this important role until 1997. The IAEA helps make sure nuclear energy is used safely and peacefully.

During his time at the IAEA, Blix visited Iraq's nuclear reactor called Osiraq. He inspected it many times to ensure it was not being used to make nuclear weapons.

A very important event during his leadership was the Chernobyl disaster on April 26, 1986. This was a severe nuclear accident in the Soviet Union. Blix and the IAEA played a key role in inspecting the site and helping with the international response.

Iraq Disarmament Mission (2002–2003)

Before the 2003 invasion of Iraq, Hans Blix was asked to lead a new group. This group was called the United Nations Monitoring, Verification and Inspection Commission (UNMOVIC). Its job was to find and remove any weapons of mass destruction in Iraq.

Blix warned the Iraqi leader, Saddam Hussein, that there would be "serious consequences" if Iraq tried to stop or delay his team's work.

On February 14, 2003, Blix gave a report to the UN Security Council. He stated that UNMOVIC had not found any weapons of mass destruction. They only found a small number of old, empty chemical weapons.

In 2004, Blix confirmed that his team conducted about 700 inspections. He said that in no case did they find any weapons of mass destruction.

Blix's statements were different from what the US and British governments were saying. These governments claimed Iraq had dangerous weapons. Blix later said that these governments had made the threat seem bigger. The invasion of Iraq happened, but no active weapons of mass destruction programs were found.

Weapons of Mass Destruction Commission

Since 2003, Blix has been the chairman of the Weapons of Mass Destruction Commission (WMDC). This is an independent group supported by the Swedish government. It works to prevent the spread of dangerous weapons.

In 2006, the WMDC released a report. It suggested that a nuclear scientist from Pakistan, Abdul Qadeer Khan, likely did not act alone. The report said he probably shared nuclear information with the knowledge of the Pakistani government.

President of WFUNA

In 2006, Hans Blix was chosen as the president of the World Federation of United Nations Associations (WFUNA). This organization supports the goals and work of the United Nations around the world.

Helping Others

In 2009, Blix joined a project called Soldiers of Peace. This project created an anti-war film.

Leading the UAE Nuclear Program Advisory Board

Hans Blix leads a group of advisors for the United Arab Emirates' nuclear energy program. This group meets twice a year. They check on the progress of the country's nuclear energy plan. They also suggest ways to make the program better.

Awards and Honours

Hans Blix has received many awards and honours for his important work.

Awards

• 

  The H. M. The King's Medal ribbon
  H. M. The King's Medal (1998)
• 

  The Illis quorum ribbon
  Illis quorum (2018)
• 

  The Grand Decoration of Honour in Gold with Sash for Services to the Republic of Austria ribbon
  Grand Decoration of Honour in Gold with Sash for Services to the Republic of Austria (1997)
• 

  The Commander of the Legion of Honour ribbon
  Commander of the Legion of Honour (2004)
• Seraphim Medal (2004)
• Recipient of the Henry DeWolf Smyth Nuclear Statesman Award (1988)
• Gold Medal for distinguished service in nuclear affairs by the Uranium Institute (1997)
• Otto Hahn Prize of the City of Frankfurt/Main (1998)
• Golden Doves for Peace Journalistic prize (2004)
• Sydney Peace Prize (2007)
• Fulbright Prize (2014)

Honours

• Honorary Doctorate from the University of Moscow (1987)
• Honorary membership in the Cambridge Union Society
• Honorary Doctorate from the Vrije Universiteit Brussel (2003)
• Honorary Doctorate from the University of Padova (2004)
• Honorary Doctorate from the University of Cambridge (2007)
• Elected as Honorary President of the World Federation of United Nations Associations (2009)

See also

In Spanish: Hans Blix para niños