Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.uz) — Uzbekistan's Uzatom agency has completed a five-day national workshop on preparedness and response to nuclear and radiological emergencies, held from 19 to 23 October with support from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).
The workshop brought together representatives of relevant government agencies, specialists from the Nuclear Power Plant Construction Directorate and Uzatom employees to examine international emergency preparedness requirements, potential hazards and coordination between responsible authorities.
Participants reviewed the provisions of the international safety standard GSR Part 7, emergency classification procedures and methods for assessing risks in Uzbekistan's specific conditions.
The programme also examined existing national emergency response mechanisms, including a recently approved instruction governing the declaration of emergency conditions, information sharing and the provision of emergency assistance.
Expert Lyudmila Simeonova noted that developing an emergency preparedness system alongside the construction of a nuclear power plant was consistent with international approaches and IAEA requirements.
Practical sessions focused on coordinating the activities of agencies responsible for nuclear and radiation safety, security, healthcare, and sanitary and epidemiological protection.
Specialists involved in implementing the nuclear power plant project in Uzbekistan's Jizzakh region also participated in the exercises.
Anton Sudarchikov highlighted the value of examining interagency coordination procedures and hazard assessment methods in detail, particularly their application to Uzbekistan's national circumstances.
Andrey Budo emphasized the importance of coordination among all organizations involved in responding to potential emergencies.
He noted that effective cooperation between responsible authorities was essential to protecting the population and the environment.
Following the five-day programme, participants prepared conclusions and recommendations for further developing Uzbekistan's national nuclear and radiological emergency preparedness and response system.
The workshop aimed to reinforce international approaches while adapting them to national conditions and establishing a common understanding among responsible authorities of the procedures to follow in the event of a nuclear or radiological incident.
