Uzbekistan Presents Uranium Legacy Site Management Experience

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.uz) — A delegation from Uzbekistan participated in the annual meeting of the Coordination Group for Uranium Legacy Sites (CGULS), held in the city of Aktau.

The event brought together representatives from Central Asian countries, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, the European Union, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), and other international organizations.

The main topics of the meeting included the results of uranium legacy site rehabilitation, the establishment of a long-term post-rehabilitation management system, site safety, and the development of regional cooperation.

Representatives of the Agency for Waste Management and Circular Economy Development presented information on Uzbekistan's efforts to rehabilitate uranium legacy sites and create a long-term management system following the completion of restoration measures.

During the presentation, special attention was paid to the results of work at the "Yangiabad" and "Chorkesar-2" sites. Participants were briefed on measures to ensure the safe condition of the sites, conduct radiation and environmental monitoring, maintain engineering and protective structures, systematically store information, and train specialized personnel.

As noted at the meeting, Uzbekistan is gradually transitioning from a temporary project-based approach to a permanent state model for managing uranium legacy sites.

This model provides for strengthening the coordinating role of the specialized agency, establishing a dedicated operator, and maintaining independent oversight functions for regulatory bodies.

Meeting participants also learned about the experiences of Germany, the United States, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and other countries in post-rehabilitation management, monitoring, technical maintenance of sites, institutional development, and long-term data storage.

In addition, measures implemented under a joint European Union and UNDP project were reviewed. These efforts are aimed at supporting local communities, developing social infrastructure, building population capacity, and fostering entrepreneurial initiatives.

According to the organizers, the outcomes of the meeting will contribute to further strengthening the long-term safety of uranium legacy sites, protecting the environment and public health, and developing regional cooperation among Central Asian countries.