The seminar became a large dialogue platform, where the results of scientific research in all areas of the enterprise's activities were summed up, the prospects for further scientific and technological development were discussed with Kazakhstani and international organizations.
The seminar was opened in the format of a videoconference by the Minister of Energy of the Republic of Kazakhstan B.U. Akchulakov, who in his speech noted:
- The National Nuclear Center was created in a difficult time by political and economic standards, but, having overcome all the difficulties at the stage of creation, the enterprise developed dynamically and achieved significant results in strategic areas of activity. The results of the enterprise's activities are the pride of Kazakhstan, they make a significant contribution to the positioning of our state as a leader in the process of nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation, a responsible participant in the international community adhering to the principles of the peaceful development of nuclear energy.
The whole world is aware of the unparalleled large-scale work to eliminate the infrastructure and consequences of nuclear weapons tests at the territory of the former Semipalatinsk test site. The entire infrastructure of nuclear testing has been brought to a state that does not allow it to be used for its intended purpose. To date, reliable barriers have been created and are successfully functioning, preventing access to sensitive information. The results of these works are noted at the highest international level.
Akim of the East Kazakhstan region, D.K. AKhmetov sent his greetings to the participants, noting that over 30 years, together with leading Kazakhstani and foreign organizations, unique scientific and technical projects have been implemented in the field of nuclear energy, non-proliferation of nuclear weapons, radioecology, rehabilitation of the territory of the former Semipalatinsk test site and other important and relevant areas, the experimental base has been modernized, a new generation of scientists and engineers.
These projects are world famous.
Large-scale work was carried out to eliminate the infrastructure and the consequences of nuclear weapons testing in the territory of the Republic of Kazakhstan, including the implementation of one of the largest projects to bring the Experimental Field site to a safe state.
Successfully carried out work on the conversion of the former military-industrial complex SIP into a unique site for scientific research. The project for the conversion of research reactors is being successfully implemented. Just a few days ago, the IVG.1M research reactor with low-enriched uranium fuel was put into operation. The implementation of such a global project is another important contribution of Kazakhstan to the solution of the international task of reducing the threat of nuclear proliferation.
Welcoming remarks were also made by: Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Japan to the Republic of Kazakhstan Jun Yamada, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Russian Federation to the Republic of Kazakhstan Aleksey Nikolaevich Borodavkin, Director of the Cooperative Threat Reduction Program of the US Department of Defense Threat Reduction Agency Dr. Pope Robert (USA, DTRA) and others.
For reference. May 15, 2022 marks the 30th anniversary of the National Nuclear Center of the Republic of Kazakhstan (NNC RK).
Over the years, the National Nuclear Center of the Republic of Kazakhstan, together with the international community, has carried out large-scale activities to eliminate the infrastructure and consequences of nuclear weapons tests on the territory of the former Semipalatinsk Test Site (STS), converted the former military-industrial complex STS for peaceful purposes, achieved significant results in nuclear energy, radiation ecology, new directions have been developed - controlled thermonuclear fusion technologies, hydrogen energy, climate change problems.
Detailed information about the activities of the enterprise for 30 years can be found at the link: https://www.nnc.kz/media/hea/files/4G9NiV8QXQ.pdf
