Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Rafael Grossi

By Popular Timelines Editorial Team · Updated: March 29, 2026

From career breakthroughs to professional milestones, explore how Rafael Grossi made an impact.

Rafael Mariano Grossi is an Argentine diplomat currently serving as the Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) since December 2019. Prior to this role, he served as the Argentine ambassador to Austria, as well as Slovenia, Slovakia, and various international organizations located in Vienna from 2013 to 2019. His career demonstrates a focus on international relations and nuclear energy oversight.

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Full Timeline Career & Achievements

1985: Joined Argentine Foreign Service

In 1985, Rafael Grossi joined the Argentine foreign service, starting his career in international diplomacy.

1997: President of UN Group of Government Experts

In 1997, Rafael Grossi became the president of the United Nations Group of Government Experts on the International Weapons Registry, a significant role in international affairs.

2000: Adviser to UN Under-Secretary-General

In 2000, Rafael Grossi became an advisor to the Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations on disarmament, furthering his involvement in international security.

2002: Chief of Staff

In 2002, Rafael Grossi became the chief of staff to Director General Mohamed ElBaradei at the International Atomic Energy Agency and the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons, marking a significant role in international organizations.

2007: Chief of Staff

In 2007, Rafael Grossi was still serving as chief of staff to Director General Mohamed ElBaradei at the International Atomic Energy Agency and the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons.

2010: Deputy Director General of IAEA

In 2010, Rafael Grossi served as Deputy Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency, a significant position in nuclear policy.

2013: Ambassador to Austria

In 2013, President Cristina Fernández de Kirchner assigned Rafael Grossi as ambassador to Austria and International Organisations based in Vienna, concurrent also in Slovakia and Slovenia.

September 2015: Nomination as IAEA Director General Candidate

In September 2015, the Argentine government announced the nomination of Rafael Grossi as a candidate for Director General of the IAEA, supported by other Latin American and Caribbean countries.

2016: President of the Nuclear Suppliers Group

In 2016, Rafael Grossi served as the President of the Nuclear Suppliers Group, an important role in nuclear materials control.

2017: Nomination for Presidency

In 2017, President Macri announced that he would nominate Grossi for the presidency of the Review Conference of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons to be held in 2020.

August 2019: Candidate for IAEA Director General

On August 2, 2019, Rafael Grossi was presented as the Argentine candidate to become the Director General of the IAEA.

October 2019: Elected as IAEA Director General

On October 29, 2019, Rafael Grossi was elected as the Director General of the IAEA, becoming the first Latin American to head the organization.

December 2019: Appointment as IAEA Director General

In December 2019, Rafael Grossi assumed the role of Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), a significant milestone in his career.

December 2019: Assumed IAEA Director General Office

On December 3, 2019, Rafael Grossi officially assumed the office of Director General of the IAEA.

2020: Review Conference

In 2020, Rafael Grossi was nominated for the presidency of the Review Conference of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons.

August 2022: IAEA Inspectors Visit Zaporizhzhia

In August 2022, Rafael Grossi led a team of IAEA inspectors to the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant in Russian-occupied southern Ukraine.

2025: Interest in UN Secretary-General Selection

In 2025, Grossi publicly confirmed his interest in being a candidate in the 2026 United Nations Secretary-General selection after being nominated by Argentina.

March 2026: IAEA report on Iranian Nuclear program

In March 2026, Grossi reported that while Iran maintained a significant stockpile of near-weapons-grade uranium, there was no evidence of a structured program to build a nuclear bomb.

March 2026: Projectile strike at Bushehr Nuclear Power Plant

On March 17, 2026, Grossi confirmed that a projectile struck the premises of the Bushehr Nuclear Power Plant in Iran during U.S.–Israeli military strikes. The IAEA reported no damage or injuries, but Grossi called for restraint to prevent a nuclear accident.