Nuclear safety is becoming a shared priority. Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan intend to exchange environmental and radiation data in advance and hold regular consultations on the potential transboundary impact of future nuclear facilities, DKNews.kz reports.
The issues were discussed on August 21 in Tashkent during a working meeting between interagency delegations from Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan. The Kazakh delegation included Mansur Oshurbayev, Vice Minister of Ecology and Natural Resources, and Gumar Sergazin, Deputy Chairman of Kazakhstan’s Atomic Energy Agency.
Transboundary Monitoring Takes Center Stage
One of the main topics of the talks was transboundary monitoring.
Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan discussed assessing the potential environmental impact of nuclear energy facilities and exchanging information on radiation and environmental conditions.
For neighboring countries, the issue has a practical dimension. Environmental monitoring around nuclear power plants does not stop at national borders, which makes comparable data and coordination between relevant agencies essential.
For this reason, information exchange is being treated as part of the broader nuclear and radiation safety system rather than as a separate issue.
Both Countries Are Entering a New Phase of Nuclear Energy Development
The parties noted that Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan are entering a new stage in the development of their national nuclear energy sectors.
This increases the importance of interstate cooperation on safety. The meeting also covered the peaceful use of nuclear energy, nuclear and radiation safety, and environmental protection.
Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan have previously discussed exchanging radiation monitoring data, assessing environmental impacts and coordinating the work of relevant agencies. We previously reported on this area of nuclear cooperation between the two countries.
Information Is Expected to Be Shared in Advance
Particular attention was paid to the need for advance information exchange and regular consultations between the competent authorities of the two countries.
This mechanism would allow the two sides to cooperate not only after nuclear facilities become operational, but also during the implementation of nuclear projects.
The parties also discussed environmental information exchange and coordination between government agencies.
Uzatom Joined the Talks
The Uzbek delegation included A. Akhmedkhadjayev, Director of the Uzatom Agency, I. Kutbiddinov, Deputy Chairman of Uzbekistan’s National Committee on Ecology and Climate Change, as well as representatives of other relevant government agencies.
Following the meeting, both countries reaffirmed their interest in continuing practical cooperation and further developing collaboration in these areas.
Tugzhanov Separately Discussed Nuclear Plant Safety
Later that day, Ambassador Yeraly Tugzhanov met with Mansur Oshurbayev and Gumar Sergazin at the Embassy of Kazakhstan.
They discussed environmental and radiation safety in the context of nuclear power plant construction projects in the region.
The talks focused on the potential transboundary environmental impact of nuclear energy facilities, environmental information exchange, and coordination between the relevant government agencies of the two countries.
The fact that two meetings were held on the same day shows that Kazakhstan-Uzbekistan dialogue on nuclear energy is moving toward practical mechanisms: monitoring, data exchange and regular interagency consultations.
