Nuclear cooperation between Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan is being developed through bilateral contacts, working visits and specialised events.
A working meeting was held at Uzatom with a Kazakh delegation led by Vice Minister of Ecology & Natural Resources Zhomart Aliyev saw further development of bilateral cooperation. The Uzbek participants included specialists from Uzatom (the Directorate for the Construction of Nuclear Power Plants), the Ministries of Defence, Health, Emergency Situations, Ecology, Environmental Protection & Climate Change, and the Tashkent branch of Russia’s NRNU MEPhI (National Research Nuclear University – Moscow Power Engineering Institute), as well as the companies O’ZGASHKLITI and Uzliti Engineering.
The Kazakh delegation was represented by the leadership and specialists from the Ministry of Ecology & Natural Resources, the Atomic Energy Agency, the Ministries of Defence and Emergency Situations, and several other government agencies.
Discussion covered key areas of cooperation in the field of nuclear energy, with an emphasis on safety, seismic stability, and the development of bilateral cooperation on environmental issues. The participants reviewed aspects of seismic safety of potential sites for the construction of NPPs in both countries.
Kazakhstan has begun construction of its first NPP – a two-unit plant with VVER-1200 reactors – which is being built by a consortium led by Rosatom. Its second and third NPPs are to be built by consortia led by China. Uzbekistan is also constructing its first nuclear plant – a small modular reactor plant featuring six of Rosatom’s 55 MWe RITM-200N water-cooled reactors.
“It is a great joy for us to see that Kazakhstan has begun engineering and survey work, laying a solid foundation for a nuclear power plant construction project,” said Uzatom Director Azim Akhmedkhadzhaev. “We well understand the importance of this stage, because we ourselves are now implementing the construction of a nuclear power plant. This is a special period when our countries are going through a similar path of development, and that is why we have so many points of contact. We need to meet more often, exchange experiences and together open new horizons – from energy to medicine, agriculture and water treatment, where nuclear technology can benefit our peoples.”
The Uzbek specialists reported the results achieved in the implementation of international legal instruments in the field of nuclear and radiation safety. The Kazakh side positively assessed the security measures taken by Uzbekistan. Particular attention was paid to a joint system for monitoring the radiation and environmental situation, which will strengthen cooperation in the field of radiation safety and data exchange between countries.
“The purpose of our visit is to discuss the issues encountered so as not to step on the same rake,” noted Zhomart Aliyev. “We understand that to some extent we are taking parallel steps. Therefore, this is only a question of a constructive approach, exchange of experience.”
In addition, the delegations discussed the importance of exchanging experience in training specialists for the nuclear industry, including the creation of joint educational programmes based on the Tashkent branch of NRNU MEPhI. Both sides expressed their readiness to continue cooperation in the field of advanced training of personnel, as well as the development of new technologies to ensure radiation and nuclear safety.
Earlier in August, a delegation from Uzatom, led by Akhmedkhadzhaev visited Belarus for high-level talks and a tour of the Belarus NPP and training centre.
