NOVELTY - The membrane electrode assembly comprises an ionomer membrane having two sides, a first electrode layer (EL1) applied to one side of the membrane, and a second electrode layer (EL2) applied to the other side of the membrane, where the electrode layers comprise a first electrocatalyst (EC1) comprising an iridium oxide component with an other inorganic oxide component and a second electrocatalyst (EC2/EC2'). The first and second electrode layers are attached to the ionomer membrane and supported on gas diffusion layers. The iridium oxide component in EC1 comprises iridium (IV)-oxide (IrO2).    USE - The membrane electrode assembly is useful for a proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cell such as hydrogen PEM fuel cells, reformed-hydrogen PEM fuel cells or direct methanol fuel cells (claimed), which are useful for automotive drive train, stationary units for residential heating, embarked auxiliary power units, portable electronic equipments and remote or portable back-up units.    ADVANTAGE - The membrane electrode assembly exhibits better performance and improved durability when operated under severe electrochemical conditions.    DETAILED DESCRIPTION - The membrane electrode assembly comprises an ionomer membrane having two sides, a first electrode layer (EL1) applied to one side of the membrane, and a second electrode layer (EL2) applied to the other side of the membrane, where the electrode layers comprise a first electrocatalyst (EC1) comprising an iridium oxide component with an other inorganic oxide component and a second electrocatalyst (EC2/EC2'). The first and second electrode layers are attached to the ionomer membrane and supported on gas diffusion layers. The iridium oxide component in EC1 comprises iridium (IV)-oxide (IrO2). The inorganic oxide component in EC1 has a Brunauer, Emmett and Teller (BET) surface area of less than 400 m2/g, and is present in an amount of less than 15 wt.% based on the total weight of the EC1. The EC1 is present in the electrode layers in an amount of 2-60 wt.% based on the total weight of the first and second electrocatalysts. The ELI is the anode electrode layer or the cathode electrode layer, and the EL2 is the cathode electrode layer or the anode electrode layer.    DESCRIPTION OF DRAWING(S) - The figure shows a schematic view of a membrane electrode assembly.