Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan Discuss Nuclear Plant Safety
Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.uz) — Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan held working talks on nuclear, radiation and environmental safety related to the construction and future operation of a nuclear power plant in Uzbekistan.
The meeting was held on 21 August at the Uzatom Agency. The Kazakh delegation was led by Deputy Minister of Ecology and Natural Resources Mansur Oshurbaev, Uzatom said.
Representatives of relevant ministries and agencies from the two countries discussed technical and environmental aspects of the nuclear project. Participants heard presentations from Uzbek organizations involved in the project before holding a working meeting.
Azim Akhmedkhadzhaev, director of the Uzatom Agency, said safety was a priority of Uzbekistan’s national nuclear program. According to him, the country is developing a nuclear, radiation and environmental safety system taking into account national legislation and international standards.
The Kazakh side expressed interest in the safe and sustainable development of nuclear energy in the region.
Oshurbaev emphasized the importance of exchanging experience, maintaining transparency in approaches and working together on environmental protection.
During the presentation session, the State Institution Directorate for the Construction of Nuclear Power Plants, O‘zGASHKLITI Institute and UzLITI Engineering presented information on the progress of design, survey and preparatory work. The parties also discussed approaches to safety assurance and environmental monitoring.
Kazakh representatives asked questions about the materials presented, while officials from Uzbekistan’s ministries of energy and ecology and the Ministry of Emergency Situations provided additional comments and explanations.
Following the talks, the sides agreed on key areas for further cooperation, including a roadmap and subsequent steps.
Particular attention was paid to personnel training and the development of expert capacity in Central Asia. The Uzbek side presented a concept for a specialized center that would provide educational and practical training for specialists, simulator-based training using modern laboratories and expert consultations on the development of national nuclear infrastructure.
The concept also includes a unified academic mobility platform and a knowledge base drawing on Uzbekistan’s experience in the construction and operation of nuclear power plants.
The center’s priorities would include strengthening the culture of nuclear and radiation safety, improving the regulatory framework and increasing public acceptance of peaceful nuclear energy.
The Nuclear Knowledge Platform and Nuclear Energy Modelling Hub digital platforms are planned to be used for knowledge exchange and the development of relevant expertise.
The sides confirmed their readiness to continue regular expert dialogue and develop cooperation on the safe and responsible use of nuclear energy in Central Asia.
