International Seminar of Veteran Nuclear Decommissioning Experts Held in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan: Focusing on Central Asian Nuclear Energy Prospects and Cooperation on Kyrgyzstan's SMR Project

On September 24, 2026, with the joint support of Rosatom and the Council of Energy Veterans of the Kyrgyz Republic (Совет ветеранов энергетики Киргизской Республики), the international seminar “Prospects for the Development of Nuclear Energy and Nuclear Technologies in the Kyrgyz Republic,” organized by the International Union of Veteran Experts in Nuclear Energy and Industry (МСВАЭП), was held in Bishkek, the capital of Kyrgyzstan. Senior experts in the nuclear and electric power industries, representatives of public associations and youth organizations from Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan and other Central Asian countries, as well as members of the Rosatom Public Council, attended the meeting.

The seminar conducted in-depth discussions on the prospects for nuclear power development in Central Asia and its key role in the transition to a low-carbon economy. A number of scholars and technical experts delivered keynote reports on cutting-edge technologies and application scenarios for the modern peaceful use of nuclear energy. Dmitry Konstantinov (Дмитрий Константинов), General Director of the Rosatom Representative Office in the Kyrgyz Republic, systematically introduced Rosatom's key business areas in Kyrgyzstan, covering the planned small modular reactor (SMR/АСММ) project, renewable energy development, advanced nuclear medicine technology applications, and comprehensive environmental remediation of historical radioactive legacy tailings.

Pavel Ipatov (Павел Ипатов), Chairman of the International Union of Veteran Experts in Nuclear Energy and Industry, emphasized that it is currently necessary to pool cross-national professional talent, conduct systematic demonstration of the prospects for comprehensive energy development including nuclear fission technology, and in particular place the advance reserve and education and training of nuclear engineering professionals at the core, striving to turn the Bishkek seminar into a regular mechanism for promoting regional energy security governance and multilateral technical dialogue in Central Asia.

Beknur Maratbekov (Бекнур Маратбеков), Deputy Minister of Energy of the Kyrgyz Republic, pointed out in his address that for Kyrgyzstan, developing diversified energy is first and foremost about the stable operation of the power supply system and long-term national energy security. In the process of carefully assessing the introduction of civilian nuclear energy technology, nuclear and radiation safety, the training of local professional and technical teams, and the supporting regulatory framework and physical infrastructure must be placed in the primary position; actively deepening experience exchange with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and partner countries with a complete nuclear industry foundation will help Kyrgyzstan formulate a well-founded strategic energy choice while taking into account its fundamental national interests.