ASTANA, Kazakhstan, September 16. Kazakhstan addressed the 69th Session of the IAEA General Conference in Vienna, reaffirming its commitment to peaceful nuclear energy, global security, and sustainable development, Trend reports.
The head of the Kazakh delegation, Chairman of the Atomic Energy Agency of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Almassadam Satkaliyev, expressed gratitude to IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi and his team, and congratulated the newly elected members of the Conference Bureau.
For over three decades, Kazakhstan has consistently pursued a policy of responsible engagement with nuclear technologies. Its voluntary renunciation of the world’s fourth-largest nuclear arsenal, the closure of the Semipalatinsk nuclear test site, and the initiative to establish the International Day Against Nuclear Tests have made the country a symbol of trust and moral leadership in non-proliferation issues.
A key event this year was the first nationwide referendum on the construction of a nuclear power plant. The public’s support for this project opens a new stage in the country’s energy development.
“Nuclear energy is not only a reliable source of energy but also a strategic tool in combating climate change. Kazakhstan has set the goal of achieving carbon neutrality by 2060, and nuclear power will play a key role in this transition,” emphasized Satkaliyev.
To support the systemic development of the sector, the Atomic Energy Agency of the Republic of Kazakhstan was established. A national nuclear cluster is being formed, and a strategy for the development of the nuclear sector is being drafted. This strategy includes the construction of a nuclear power plant, advancement of nuclear technologies in medicine and industry, safe handling of radioactive waste, and workforce training.
Kazakhstan remains an important participant in the global nuclear security system. The IAEA Low Enriched Uranium Bank, which strengthens international energy stability, is located on its territory.
The National Nuclear Center of Kazakhstan is evolving into an international research platform for the development of future technologies, including controlled nuclear fusion and participation in the ITER program. Special attention is given to the development of nuclear medicine. In cooperation with the IAEA, Kazakhstan is expanding the production of radiopharmaceuticals, increasing access to diagnostics and treatment of cancer both domestically and in the region. In 2024, the Institute of Nuclear Physics of Kazakhstan completed its first export of a technetium-99m generator under an IAEA order, making a significant contribution to the development of nuclear medicine.
Kazakhstan is building a modern system for training the next generation of specialists, strengthening scientific and educational potential, and creating conditions for integrating national programs into the global educational space.
“Kazakhstan builds its nuclear policy based on IAEA international standards, promoting transparency and international cooperation. Peaceful nuclear energy is part of our national future and our contribution to the shared future of humanity - a safe, clean world free of nuclear weapons,” concluded the head of the delegation.
