U.S. DTRA Delegation Visit

2023 marks an important milestone of Kazakhstan-USA cooperation: the 30th anniversary of cooperation to support WMD non-proliferation regime at the territory of the former Semipalatinsk Test Site.

In these years, the unique scientific-technical and engineering operations were carried out to bring the territory of the former STS to safe condition. In the course of nuclear testing infrastructure elimination, a large-scale activities were performed to reduce risk of WMD proliferation and prevent the access to residues of nuclear activity, available at the territory of test site.

Moreover, a number of large-scale projects have been implemented – that is bringing “Degelen”, “Aktan-Berli” and “Experimental Field” sites to safe condition.

The results of executed operations at STS, plans for further cooperation on non-proliferation were discussed in the Ministry of Energy of RK and National Nuclear Center of RK during DTRA delegation visit led by Dr Pope, the Director of the Cooperative Threat Reduction Program.

It is necessary to note operations that were carried out at STS in recent years under execution of the “Protocol on Functions and Obligations between NNC RK and the U.S. Department of Defense for threat reduction for ensuring security and long-term activity at the former STS”, signed in December, 2018 in USA.

Given the success of the work conducted, the Parties confirmed their readiness for further cooperation. The next consultations will take place in October this year during the scheduled visit of the Director of the U.S. Defense Threat Reduction Agency to the National Nuclear Center of RK.