Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.uz) — Uzbekistan’s Minister of Emergency Situations Azizbek Ikramov held a working meeting with Belarusian Emergency Situations Minister Vadim Sinyavsky on 23 October to discuss cooperation, with particular emphasis on nuclear facility safety.
The meeting took place at Belarus’ Republican Centre for Emergency Management and Response, the Belarusian Ministry of Emergency Situations said.
Ikramov said the Uzbek delegation had travelled to Belarus to study its experience in nuclear energy. Uzbekistan plans to develop the sector and aims to bring its first reactors online by 2030.
He expressed interest in Belarus’ practices for ensuring safety at nuclear facilities, including monitoring, early warning systems, emergency service coordination, and planning for public protection and evacuation.
“Today, we have an opportunity to give our cooperation new practical momentum,” Ikramov said.
Belarusian emergency officials delivered presentations on several topics, including civil protection arrangements at nuclear energy facilities, emergency response preparedness, personnel training and fire safety supervision.
Another presentation focused on oversight of the safe operation of the Belarusian Nuclear Power Plant and the regulation of nuclear and radiation safety.
Ikramov proposed expanding cooperation through joint research and development projects and the exchange of scientific and technical information and technologies.
He also suggested collaboration on the production and certification of fire safety products and rescue equipment.
The minister highlighted the importance of joint exercises, exchanges of students and teachers, and practical, skills-based personnel training.
He said cooperation between the ministries was based on an agreement signed in 2008.
Sinyavsky said Belarus was ready to share its practical experience and continue training Uzbek rescue personnel. Belarus was also prepared to supply them with fire and rescue vehicles, equipment and protective clothing.
He noted that the two ministries already cooperate within the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) and the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), including in personnel training, scientific activities, youth engagement and the development of fire and rescue sports.
The Belarusian minister also referred to the Declaration on Establishing a Strategic Partnership between the two countries and their Cooperation Roadmap for 2026–2030.
Before the meeting, the Uzbek delegation visited the University of Civil Protection, the ZUBR Republican Special Purpose Unit, regional emergency service divisions and the Belarusian Nuclear Power Plant to learn about its safety systems.
The delegation’s remaining programme includes visits to the Pozhsnab enterprise in Borisov, the Testing Centre of the Research Institute of Fire Safety and Emergency Situations, and the International Rescue Training Centre.
