Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan to cooperate on nuclear power plant safety
Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan will establish cooperation on the safety of nuclear power plants (NPPs). This was reported by the Uzatom agency.
On August 21, delegations of the two countries held a meeting and discussed the construction of NPPs, nuclear, radiation and environmental safety. At the end of the negotiations, the parties agreed to take joint measures and develop a roadmap.
Currently, both countries are implementing a project to build their first NPP. At the meeting, the Uzbek side provided information on design, exploration and preparatory work, as well as methods for ensuring nuclear and radiation safety and environmental control.
Azim Ahmadkhodjayev, Director of the Uzatom Agency, stated that “Safety is an undisputed priority of Uzbekistan’s national atomic program. We are consistently establishing a nuclear, radiation and environmental safety system in accordance with national legislation and international standards. Open dialogue with neighboring countries, primarily Kazakhstan, will strengthen mutual trust and allow us to take into account regional specifics at all stages of project implementation.”
The Kazakh side asked questions on the technical and environmental aspects of the project. Representatives of the Ministries of Energy, Ecology and Emergencies of Uzbekistan answered these questions. The parties also separately discussed the issue of training personnel for the nuclear sector.
Deputy Minister of Ecology and Natural Resources of the Republic of Kazakhstan Mansur Ashurboyev said: “Kazakhstan is interested in the sustainable and safe development of nuclear energy in the region. Exchange of experience, transparency of approaches and joint work on environmental protection issues are in the interests of both countries and the people of Central Asia. Today's talks confirm that the strategic partnership between our countries is at a high level.”
The Uzbek side presented the concept of a specialized center designed to combine educational modules and practical training of specialists from Central Asian countries, simulator training on the basis of modern laboratories, expert advice on the development of national nuclear infrastructure in accordance with IAEA recommendations, a single academic mobility platform, as well as a “knowledge base” based on the experience of building and operating nuclear power plants in the republic.
The center's priorities include strengthening the culture of nuclear and radiation safety, improving the regulatory framework, and increasing the social acceptability of peaceful nuclear energy, including through the Nuclear Knowledge Platform and Nuclear Energy Modeling Hub digital platforms.
Earlier, Uzbekistan approved the procedure for action in the event of a radiation accident at a nuclear power plant. This document establishes the procedure for declaring an emergency, alerting services, and providing assistance.
Kyrgyzstan has not yet made a specific decision to build a nuclear power plant, but a memorandum of cooperation has been signed with the Russian company Rosatom.