IAEA nuclear infrastructure review mission begins in Tashkent

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — An evaluation mission from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has officially begun its work at the Atomic Energy Agency under the Cabinet of Ministers of the Republic of Uzbekistan (Uzatom).

The visit of the foreign specialists is taking place in the format of the second phase of the follow-up Integrated Nuclear Infrastructure Review (INIR Follow-up Phase 2). Organized in execution of an instruction by the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan, the main task of the mission is to conduct a comprehensive expert audit of the country's nuclear industry and analyze progress in implementing recommendations issued by a pool of experts in 2021.

The international inspection team includes five authoritative sector experts from IAEA member states, representing Jordan, Brazil, the Dominican Republic, and Türkiye. The involved specialists possess many years of experience coordinating similar infrastructure reviews in states across Europe and Asia, including Poland, Estonia, Kazakhstan, the Philippines, and Vietnam.

From the Uzbek side, the negotiation process involves the leadership of the Uzatom agency, which acts as the Nuclear Energy Programme Implementing Organization (NEPIO), and representatives of the Industrial, Radiation and Nuclear Safety Committee, which is endowed with the functions of an independent state regulator.

As reported by the Director of the Uzatom Agency, Azim Akhmedkhadjayev, on the first day of work, the parties held substantive technical sessions on three strategic modules: "National Position," "Nuclear Safety," and "Management."

The Uzbek working group presented the international auditors with the updated parameters of the Energy Policy of the Republic of Uzbekistan calculated for the period up to 2035, as well as detailed reports on the modernization of the regulatory framework, the oversight activities of the regulator, and the operational management mechanisms of key agencies involved in the nuclear program.

During the initial meetings, the IAEA experts highlighted the high level of transparency and the systematic nature of the multi-year partnership with Tashkent. The current mission will last in the capital until 26 June 2026.

Upon completion of all procedures and final consultations provided for by the regulations, the international agency will compile and hand over a preliminary official report to the government of Uzbekistan containing detailed recommendations and practical proposals for further improvement.