Rosatom Holds International Training Course on Radioactive Waste Management for CIS Countries

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — TVEL JSC and the Rosatom Technical Academy, in cooperation with the National Operator for Radioactive Waste Management (NO RAO), have conducted an educational course titled “Key Issues in the Establishment and Management of a Radioactive Waste Final Disposal Facility” for specialists from Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, and Kyrgyzstan.

The programme combined theoretical training at Ural Federal University with practical site visits to Rosatom facilities.

Course participants studied modern methods of radioactive waste processing, conditioning, and interim storage, as well as the full life cycle of final disposal facilities, from site selection and construction to operation and closure.

The practical component included a visit to the Ural Electrochemical Plant in Novouralsk, where participants were introduced to technologies for compaction and the safe storage of radioactive materials.

Alexander Dudin, General Director of the Ural Electrochemical Plant, noted that the course forms part of broader efforts to establish common principles for radioactive waste management across CIS countries. He emphasized that, within the framework of sustainable development, the plant is implementing advanced solutions from Russian nuclear science in the field of radioactive waste management and the decommissioning of non-operational facilities, and stands ready to share its experience and expertise to support the development of resilient national waste management systems.

As part of the programme, participants also familiarized themselves with final disposal facilities commissioned in Novouralsk and Ozersk, which provide multi-level environmental protection throughout the entire period of potential hazard posed by radioactive waste. Vyacheslav Alexandrov, Director of the Ural Branch of NO RAO, stressed that Russia’s accumulated experience meets the most advanced national and international safety standards, while the interest shown by foreign partners confirms the effectiveness of Russian technologies.

Vyacheslav Fetisov, Chairman of the All-Russian Society for Nature Conservation and National Goodwill Ambassador of the United Nations Environment Programme, highlighted the key role of nuclear energy in the modern energy transition. He noted that cost efficiency, effectiveness, and environmental sustainability make nuclear power a driver of progress, and emphasized that Rosatom, relying on advanced technologies and strong human capital, is laying the foundation for sustainable industry development and international knowledge exchange.

Rosatom’s educational course serves as an important tool for CIS countries in building safe and sustainable infrastructure for radioactive waste management and the decommissioning of nuclear facilities, contributing to the development of a unified regional approach to radioactive waste governance.