More than 900 Central Asian students discussed the future of the nuclear industry in Tashkent

More than 900 Central Asian students discussed the future of the nuclear industry in Tashkent

The "Central Asia – Atom 2050" meeting took place in Tashkent, where young people from the region's countries presented their ideas on the development of nuclear energy and the training of future specialists.

The key initiative was the establishment of the Youth Platform for Nuclear Cooperation in Central Asia. Rosatom head Alexey Likhachev supported the proposal to make this meeting annual and to hold the next program in 2027.

The event was held at the Tashkent branch of the National Research Nuclear University MEPhI. More than 900 students took part in it: 200 people attended in person, and more than 700 connected online.

Leaders of the nuclear industry of Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Tajikistan, as well as representatives of the Rosatom State Corporation, joined the discussion. Among them were Director General of the corporation Alexey Likhachev, Director of the Atomic Energy Agency under the Cabinet of Ministers of Uzbekistan Azim Akhmedkhadjaev, and Deputy Chairman of the Atomic Energy Agency of Kazakhstan Timur Zhantikin. Deputy Minister of Energy of Kyrgyzstan Mirlan Parkhanov and Director General of OJSC TAUZ Hydro Abduvakil Rasulov also participated in the meeting. Rosatom Deputy Director General for Human Resources Tatyana Terentyeva acted as moderator.

Participants of the international youth advisory council Impact Team 2050 presented the results of four national nuclear dialogues that took place from September to October 2026 in Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, and Kyrgyzstan with the participation of youth from Tajikistan.

1,050 people from 18 universities participated in these discussions. The organizers received 800 questionnaires in which young people shared what prevents them from choosing a career in the nuclear industry and what could make it more attractive.

Among the main problems were a lack of practical experience and experienced mentors, as well as a lack of information about professions and training opportunities. In Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan, participants particularly frequently expressed concerns regarding the safety of nuclear technologies.

At the same time, the survey results showed that young people primarily expect concrete opportunities for a professional start. Internships and mentorship were named important by 69% of respondents, clear career prospects by 62%, industry openness by 54%, and support at the start of a career by 47%.

Reports were delivered by the Impact Team 2050 council leader from Uzbekistan, master's student at the Institute of Nuclear Power Engineering of NRNU MEPhI Mukhiddin Umidov; council mentor from Kazakhstan and head of the "Atom Energy for Central Asia" project Diana Gamazova; and council leader from Kyrgyzstan, Chairman of the Association of Students of Kyrgyzstan Bektan Kydyev.

Following the speeches, the young participants discussed their proposals with industry representatives and received feedback.

The main initiative of the meeting was the creation of the Youth Platform for Nuclear Cooperation in Central Asia. It could become a permanent platform for exchanging ideas, developing joint projects, and establishing a direct dialogue between young specialists and industry leaders.

Participants proposed holding platform meetings in different countries of the region so that young people could regularly exchange experience and work together on initiatives in the field of nuclear technologies.

Rosatom Director General Alexey Likhachev supported the idea of holding the "Central Asia – Atom 2050" meeting annually. According to him, the next stage of the youth program could take place as early as 2027 under the auspices of the Impact Team 2050 council.

"One of the key ideas of the Central Asian nuclear youth was the proposal to make today's event annual. This will allow future nuclear workers from all countries in the region to regularly exchange experience, undergo a program of additional professional education with the participation of leading NRNU MEPhI professors, and work together on projects for the development of nuclear energy and technologies. I am confident that this initiative will lay the foundation for long-term and solid youth cooperation and allow young nuclear professionals to jointly shape the future of the Central Asian nuclear industry. We fully support this format and are ready to work with colleagues in the nuclear sector across the region's countries so that the next youth program takes place as early as 2027 under the auspices of the Impact Team 2050 council," commented Rosatom head Alexey Likhachev.

Rosatom Deputy Director General for Human Resources Tatyana Terentyeva emphasized that the development of the industry requires not only informing young people about opportunities, but also a readiness to consider their requests and ideas.

"It is important not only to tell young people what we can offer, but also to hear what they themselves need from the nuclear industry. In dialogue, to design the future together and shape the strategy and international agenda. Today, young leaders shared how they want to see the future of the industry and demonstrated that they are ready to bear responsibility for its creation. Our task is to give them all the opportunities to do so. The 'Central Asia – Atom 2050' meeting is an important part of this big joint work," noted Tatyana Terentyeva.

Impact Team 2050 is an international youth advisory council under the Director General of Rosatom. Alexey Likhachev announced its creation in 2021 at the Global Impact Conference.

The council brings together young leaders from different countries to discuss the development of nuclear technologies, sustainable development, and international cooperation. Its tasks include preparing proposals for working with international youth, involving young specialists in educational and partnership projects, and promoting the peaceful use of atomic energy.

In 2027, with the support of Rosatom, the "Atom 2050" project will also launch. 100 young people from different countries will take part in it. Together with scientists, engineers, experts, strategists, and science fiction writers, they will try to answer the question: "What could the world become by 2050, and what role will nuclear and related technologies play in its development?"

Participants can look forward to technical tours of Rosatom facilities, meetings with experts, "knowledge laboratories," and joint development of future scenarios. At the end of 2027, the team will present its vision of the future to decision-makers and those who shape the development of technologies, industries, and countries.