The 8th Plenary Meeting of the Contracting Parties to the Joint Convention on the Safety of Spent Nuclear Fuel Management and Radioactive Waste Management is currently underway at the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) headquarters in Vienna. Running from March 17 to 28, 2025, the event brings together representatives from various countries to discuss nuclear safety measures and best practices.
Uzbekistan has submitted its third National Report on the implementation of obligations under the Convention, reaffirming its commitment to international nuclear safety standards. The Joint Convention, in effect since 2001, is the only legally binding global instrument regulating the management of spent nuclear fuel and radioactive waste. It applies not only to nations with advanced nuclear programs but also to those using radiation in medicine, industry, agriculture, and research.
Uzbekistan’s delegation is led by the Committee for Industrial, Radiation and Nuclear Safety under the Cabinet of Ministers and includes experts from Uzatom, the Institute of Nuclear Physics of the Academy of Sciences, and the state enterprise Navoiyuran.
The delegation is participating in discussions alongside representatives from countries with advanced nuclear energy programs, such as the Czech Republic, Canada, Ukraine, the United States, Russia, China, and Germany, as well as nations in the early stages of nuclear development. This exchange allows Uzbekistan to adopt best practices while showcasing its progress in spent nuclear fuel (SNF) and radioactive waste (RW) management.
Uzbekistan’s National Report highlights key achievements, including:
The removal of liquid spent nuclear fuel from the IIN-3M "FOTON" research reactor, demonstrating a responsible approach to nuclear safety.
Specialist training programs at the Tashkent branch of the National Research Nuclear University "MEPhI" and collaboration with other institutions to develop expertise in SNF and RW management.
Reclamation efforts at nuclear legacy sites, emphasizing Uzbekistan’s commitment to environmental restoration and risk reduction.
Uzbekistan’s active participation in the plenary meeting reflects its commitment to strengthening international cooperation in nuclear safety. The country's engagement in discussions and its submitted National Report reaffirm its readiness to work with the IAEA and other nations in ensuring the safe management of radioactive materials.
The Joint Convention on the Safety of Spent Fuel Management and on the Safety of Radioactive Waste Management is a treaty that was signed in 1997 and entered into force in 2001 to address radioactive waste management on a global scale.
Uzbekistan joined the Convention after the then-Uzbek President Islam Karimov signed the law on accession of Uzbekistan to the joint convention on the safety of spent fuel management and on the safety of radioactive waste management on 11 December 2008.
In recent years, Uzbekistan has expanded its nuclear energy initiatives to meet growing domestic demand. On May 27, 2025, the government signed an agreement with Russia’s Rosatom to construct the country’s first nuclear power plant, marking a major step in its energy development strategy.
Earlier, Azim Akhmedkhadjaev, Director of Uzbekistan’s Atomic Energy Agency, reaffirmed the country’s commitment to nuclear energy, dismissing concerns over foreign influence on its planned nuclear power plant. In an interview with Alter Ego, he emphasized that the project is vital for Uzbekistan’s energy security and independence.
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