Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan Strengthen Nuclear Safety Cooperation Dialogue

Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan recently held working talks on nuclear safety, radiation safety, and environmental safety, during which the two sides exchanged views on technical and environmental issues related to the construction and future operation of Uzbekistan's nuclear power plant, and discussed strengthening cooperation on the peaceful use of nuclear energy in Central Asia.

The talks were attended jointly by representatives of relevant Uzbek ministries and agencies and a Kazakh delegation. The Kazakh delegation was led by Mansur Oshurbayev, Deputy Minister of the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources of Kazakhstan. The Uzbek Atomic Energy Agency (Uzatom) stated that the two sides focused on reviewing the progress of the nuclear power plant project's design, survey, and preparatory work, as well as arrangements related to nuclear safety assurance and environmental monitoring.

Azim Akhmedkhodjaev, Director General of the Uzbek Atomic Energy Agency, stated that safety is the top priority of Uzbekistan's national nuclear program. Uzbekistan is continuously building its nuclear safety, radiation safety, and environmental safety systems in accordance with its national legislation and international standards. He said that maintaining open dialogue with neighboring countries, particularly Kazakhstan, helps enhance mutual trust and fully consider regional factors during project implementation.

Oshurbayev stated that Kazakhstan is committed to the safe and sustainable development of nuclear energy in the region. The exchange of experience between the two sides, increased transparency of working methods, and strengthened cooperation in environmental protection serve the interests of the people of both countries and Central Asia as a whole.

During the talks, representatives of the Directorate for Construction of Nuclear Power Plants, the O‘zGASHKLITI Institute, and UzLITI Engineering company presented the project's progress. The Kazakh delegation raised questions on relevant technical matters, and representatives of Uzbekistan's energy, ecology, and emergency management agencies provided supplementary explanations.

The two sides agreed to develop and implement a roadmap for priority areas of cooperation in the future. The talks also discussed regional capacity building in nuclear expertise. Uzbekistan proposed establishing a dedicated center that would integrate training programs, hands-on laboratory instruction, expert support, and academic exchange opportunities for professionals from Central Asian countries.

According to the Uzbek side's vision, the center would also support national nuclear infrastructure development in line with International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) recommendations, and gradually build a regional knowledge base drawing on the experience of Uzbekistan's nuclear power plant construction and future operation. The two sides reaffirmed their commitment to maintaining regular expert-level communication and promoting the safe and responsible development of peaceful uses of nuclear energy in Central Asia.