Kazakhstan's Minister of Energy, Almasadam Satkaliyev, outlined the priority areas of cooperation between Kazakhstan and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) during the 67th IAEA General Conference held from September 25 to 29 in Vienna, Austria. The discussions centered on Kazakhstan's advancements in the field of nuclear energy and its collaboration with the IAEA.
Satkaliyev highlighted the significant support that Kazakhstan has received from the IAEA in various domains. Notably, the IAEA has played a pivotal role in assisting Kazakhstan in establishing the production of radiopharmaceuticals, a vital aspect of nuclear medicine. Additionally, the agency has been instrumental in providing training for personnel working in Kazakhstan's burgeoning nuclear industry.
One of the critical aspects of collaboration with the IAEA is the agency's involvement in missions to offer expert assistance to Kazakhstan in formulating plans for the construction of nuclear power plants. In March of 2023, a mission was conducted to assess the readiness of Kazakhstan's nuclear energy infrastructure, a pivotal step in determining whether a nuclear power plant should be built in the country.
The ultimate decision regarding the construction of a nuclear power plant will be subject to a national referendum initiated by President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev in his state-of-the-nation address. However, the specific date for the referendum is yet to be determined.
Satkaliyev emphasized that Kazakhstan's partnership with the IAEA falls under the technical cooperation program. The projects within this program, both at the national and regional levels, have made significant contributions to addressing nuclear and radiation safety issues, as well as radioecological problems. These collaborative efforts have also played a crucial role in promoting the peaceful use of nuclear energy in Kazakhstan.
On the sidelines of the IAEA General Conference, Minister Satkaliyev held meetings with several key figures in the field of nuclear energy, including IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi, Vice Chairman of the China Atomic Energy Authority Liu Jing, U.S. Under Secretary of Energy for Nuclear Security and Administrator of the National Nuclear Security Administration Jill Hruby, and Deputy Director-General of the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Energy Massimo Garribba. These meetings underscore the importance of international cooperation in the nuclear sector.
The IAEA General Conference serves as a unique platform for discussions on strategic issues related to nuclear energy. It brings together thousands of representatives from the IAEA's 177 member states annually. Kazakhstan, which has been a member of the IAEA since 1994, continues to play an active role in shaping the global nuclear agenda and contributing to the peaceful use of nuclear energy worldwide.
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