For the Peace and Security

On September 26, 2023 a side event entitled "Remediation of the former Semipalatinsk test site: 30 years of IAEA assistance" took place as a part of the 67th Regular Session of the IAEA General Conference. The event was organized by the Republic of Kazakhstan and IAEA Technical Cooperation Department. The event speakers were experts from the National Nuclear Center of the Republic of Kazakhstan.

Presentation of the outputs from IAEA support provided for Kazakhstan to ensure the safety of a nuclear legacy – the largest Soviet Semipalatinsk Test Site became the basis of the side event. The event is intended to highlight the achievements of the Technical Cooperation Projects of Kazakhstan and their contribution to national goals. The progress made by the National Nuclear Center of RK under the current TC projects as well as prospective areas of cooperation with the IAEA were emphasized. 30 years of cooperation between Kazakhstan and IAEA have demonstrated a fruitful and successful partnership in the fields of nuclear safety, radiological rehabilitation and peaceful use of atomic energy. This long-term and effective joint work emphasizes Kazakhstan's and IAEA commitments to global efforts to assure security and peace.

The cooperation between Kazakhstan and IAEA began in the early 1990s when Kazakhstan made a historical decision to close its nuclear test site and eliminate the nuclear arsenal. This decision was made by Kazakhstan as a sign of nuclear non-proliferation commitment to the international community.

Over the past 30 years, Kazakhstan and the IAEA have jointly worked on a number of key initiatives and projects:

1. Closing the Semipalatinsk Nuclear Test Site: Kazakhstan and the IAEA successfully collaborated to close the Semipalatinsk nuclear test site, one of the largest in the world. This process helped to isolate and safely to manage radioactive materials at the testing site.

2. Rehabilitation of radioactively contaminated areas: Kazakhstan and IAEA have jointly developed and implemented projects for the rehabilitation of lands and areas exposed to radioactive contamination. These projects promote to improve the life and safety of the local residents.

3. Training and sharing experience: the cooperation also involves sharing experiences and occupational training in nuclear safety and radiation protection. IAEA actively supports training and advanced training of Kazakhstani experts.

4. Peaceful use of atomic energy: joint efforts are aimed at promotion of peaceful use of atomic energy in Kazakhstan and the region. This involves nuclear medicine projects and occupational training in nuclear power engineering.

5. Enhancing nuclear safety: Kazakhstan actively cooperates with the IAEA in efforts to strengthen nuclear security and nuclear non-proliferation worldwide.

The 30-year cooperation between Kazakhstan and IAEA emphasizes the importance of international cooperation in the fields of nuclear security and radiological rehabilitation. Both parties express their willingness to continue working together for the sake of peace, security and well-being of all nations.