Kazakhstan Delivers National Statement at the 70th IAEA General Conference, Outlining Nuclear Energy Development Strategy

On September 15, 2026, during the 70th General Conference of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) held in Vienna, Gumar Sergazin, Head of the Kazakh Delegation and Vice Chairman of the Atomic Energy Agency of the Republic of Kazakhstan, delivered an official national statement on behalf of the country. In his remarks, Gumar Sergazin highlighted Kazakhstan's core priorities in the nuclear industry, including advancing nuclear energy and nuclear industry development, promoting nuclear science and nuclear medicine research, and deepening international cooperation, among other key topics. The statement particularly emphasized the important historical significance of the 35th anniversary of the closure of the Semipalatinsk Nuclear Test Site. Kazakhstan reaffirmed its commitment to disarmament and nuclear non-proliferation...

2026-09-16

South Korea and Kazakhstan Sign Nuclear Energy Agreement, Deepening Cooperation on Critical Minerals and Strategic Industries

South Korea and Kazakhstan signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) on the peaceful use of nuclear energy on Tuesday (September 15). The leaders of the two countries agreed to expand cooperation in critical minerals, artificial intelligence (AI), and other strategic industries. During the state visit of Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev to South Korea, South Korean President Lee Jae-myung and Tokayev held talks at the Blue House in Seoul. According to The Korea Times, South Korea and Kazakhstan signed a total of 13 agreements and memorandums of understanding. Lee Jae-myung and Tokayev also agreed to elevate bilateral relations to a future-oriented comprehensive strategic...

2026-09-16

Russia Plans Floating Small Nuclear Power Plant in Yakutia

Andrey Petrov, First Deputy CEO for Nuclear Energy at Rosatom and President of JSC Atomstroyexport, stated that Russia's Ministry of Energy has supported the advancement of a floating small nuclear power plant project in the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia). Speaking at the Eastern Economic Forum, Petrov noted that according to the relevant master plan, the Yakutia small nuclear power plant needs to be completed by 2031. The new option currently under study involves converting the originally planned land-based nuclear power plant into a floating nuclear power plant. He said the floating option offers lower costs and shorter construction timelines, and can meet Yakutia's current electricity demand of approximately 106 MW...

2026-09-04

Rosatom and the Agency of the Republic of Kazakhstan for Atomic Energy Sign Contract for the Construction of a Nuclear Power Plant

Document Defines the Responsibilities of the Russian and Kazakhstani Parties in the Future Balkhash Nuclear Power Plant Project

2026-09-03

Kazakhstan's Kazatomprom Says the Era of "Cheap Uranium" Is Fading

Meirzhan Yussupov, CEO of Kazakhstan's national atomic company Kazatomprom, said during a semi-annual financial results conference call that the global uranium market is entering a new supply-demand phase and the era of cheap uranium is fading. The company also disclosed arrangements for natural uranium concentrate trading and the latest updates on the delay of the TQZ sulfuric acid plant project. Yussupov said that 38 countries worldwide have signed commitments to support tripling nuclear power capacity by 2050, with these countries collectively accounting for more than 70% of global GDP. In his view, nuclear energy development has moved beyond policy discussions and entered the stage of actual deployment...

2026-08-25

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. Uzbekistan's atomic energy agency...

2026-08-22

Kazakhstan's Kazatomprom to Supply Natural Uranium Concentrate to Russian and Chinese Companies

Kazakhstan's National Atomic Company Kazatomprom recently announced on the Astana International Exchange (AIX) that it has reached agreements with Russia's Uranium One and State Nuclear Uranium Resource Development Company (SNURDC) for the sale of natural uranium concentrate (U3O8). Under the relevant arrangements, Kazatomprom plans to deliver a batch of natural uranium concentrate to the Siberian Chemical Combine, with the shipment intended for Uranium One; simultaneously, the company also plans to deliver a batch of natural uranium concentrate to Alashankou Railway Station, intended for SNURDC. Kazatomprom stated that it plans to review the relevant major transactions at an extraordinary general meeting of shareholders to be held in September...

2026-08-22

Kazakhstan Signs Memorandum of Cooperation on Atomic Industry Development

The Atomic Energy Agency of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Atameken National Chamber of Entrepreneurs of Kazakhstan, and the Atomic Industry Development Association (AIDA) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding and Cooperation, planning to jointly promote the development of the national atomic energy industry, expand industrial collaboration, and attract local enterprises to participate in major infrastructure projects. The memorandum was signed by Almasadam Satkaliyev, Chairman of the Atomic Energy Agency of the Republic of Kazakhstan, and the Chairman of the Presidium of the Atameken National Chamber of Entrepreneurs...

2026-08-18

Kazakhstan Atomic Energy Agency and Nazarbayev University Sign Memorandum of Cooperation

On August 7, the head of Kazakhstan's atomic energy regulatory authority held formal talks with the President of Nazarbayev University, during which both parties exchanged views on the progress of existing cooperation and future directions for collaboration. During the talks, it was noted that representatives of Nazarbayev University have actively participated in the work of the agency's Scientific and Technical Committee, as well as in efforts to update forward-looking research in the nuclear energy field. Both sides agreed that research institutions and universities play a vital supporting role in the development of the nuclear energy industry, particularly in building research capacity and cultivating professional talent. Following the talks, the two parties signed a memorandum of cooperation. According to the document, the two sides will expand...

2026-08-08

Kazakh experts call for enhanced radioecological monitoring in border regions

As Central Asian countries accelerate the development of nuclear energy, Kazakh experts have recently proposed that the radioecological monitoring system in border regions should be improved as soon as possible to provide long-term environmental data support for the construction and operation of regional nuclear power projects. Relevant materials indicate that nuclear energy is becoming an important direction in the energy policies of several Central Asian countries. Kazakhstan has decided to build its own nuclear power plant, while neighboring countries such as Uzbekistan are also advancing or preparing similar projects. Growing electricity demand and the need to reduce greenhouse gas emissions are key factors driving the development of nuclear energy in the region. Experts believe that nuclear power development involves not only the construction of advanced units, but also the simultaneous establishment of an effective ecological and radiation safety assurance system. Modern nuclear power plants...

2026-08-06

Kazakhstan Welcomes Its First Cohort of Nuclear Industry Specialists

On August 5, the inaugural graduation ceremony was held in Almaty for the first cohort of students at the Kazakhstan branch campus of the National Research Nuclear University MEPhI (НИЯУ МИФИ). Timur Zhantikin, Vice Chairman of the Atomic Energy Agency of Kazakhstan, attended the ceremony and presented diplomas to the graduates. In his address, he noted that as Kazakhstan's atomic energy industry enters a new phase of development, the demand for specialized professionals continues to grow, and the targeted training programs offered by the branch campus are crucial to filling this gap. The graduation of this first cohort marks the beginning of Kazakhstan's establishment of an independent domestic nuclear talent cultivation system. For a long time, Kazakhstan's nuclear industry has relied on overseas education or on-the-job training to supplement its engineering workforce...

2026-08-06

Russia Says Balkhash NPP Construction Will Boost Kazakhstan's Nuclear Energy Industry

Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Galuzin recently stated that the construction of Kazakhstan's first nuclear power plant, the Balkhash NPP, will help the country establish a modern nuclear energy industry. Rosatom, Russia's state atomic energy corporation, is participating in the project as the lead party. Speaking at the plenary session of the Third Russia-Kazakhstan Media Forum, Galuzin said that Russia and Kazakhstan cooperate in multiple areas, with the Balkhash NPP being one of the recent collaborative projects. He noted that the plant will be built to a Russian design and, once completed, will provide a foundation for the development of Kazakhstan's nuclear energy industry. According to current plans, the Balkhash NPP project is scheduled to begin construction in 2027...

2026-08-04

Kazakhstan's National Nuclear Center Experimental Base Supports Nuclear Power Safety and Advanced Energy Research

On July 30, Vyacheslav Gnyrya, Deputy Director of the Institute of Atomic Energy at the National Nuclear Center of the Republic of Kazakhstan (NNC RK), presented the development of the center's experimental research base. He stated that Kazakhstan is leveraging existing research facilities to establish a scientific foundation for next-generation reactor technologies and controlled thermonuclear fusion energy research. According to the presentation, the NNC RK experimental base is a strategic scientific research infrastructure developed over decades in Kazakhstan, featuring research reactors, specialized test facilities, and materials science equipment capable of simulating conditions difficult to replicate in operating nuclear reactors, including the behavior of nuclear fuel, structural materials, and safety system components under high temperatures, intense irradiation, and transient conditions.

2026-07-31

Kazakhstan and France Discuss Cooperation in Peaceful Uses of Nuclear Energy

On July 28-29, the bilateral committee meeting between Kazakhstan and France on the peaceful uses of nuclear energy was held at the French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs. The meeting was convened in accordance with the bilateral agreement on cooperation in the peaceful uses of nuclear energy, focusing on reviewing progress in scientific, technological, and industrial cooperation, and discussing the direction of the next phase of collaboration. The Kazakh delegation was led by Almasadam Satkaliyev, Director of the Atomic Energy Agency of the Republic of Kazakhstan. During the visit, the delegation met with Jean-Noël Barrot, French Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs, Nicolas Forissier, Minister Delegate for Foreign Trade and Economic Attractiveness...

2026-07-30

Kazakhstan and Russia will jointly formulate a personnel training plan for the Balkhash Nuclear Power Plant.

The Atomic Energy Agency of the Republic of Kazakhstan and Russia's State Atomic Energy Corporation (Rosatom) recently held a meeting regarding the training of specialists for the nuclear power sector. The meeting was co-chaired by Asset Makhambet

2026-07-27

Site survey work for Kazakhstan's first nuclear power plant is nearing completion.

On July 25, Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev stated that work at the construction site of Kazakhstan's first nuclear power plant—the Balkhash Nuclear Power Plant—is nearing completion.During a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin, T

2026-07-27