Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan to strengthen nuclear energy cooperationDirector of Uzbekistan’s Atomic Energy Agency (Uzatom), Azim Akhmedkhadjaev, and Ambassador of Kazakhstan to Uzbekistan, Beibut Atamkulov, discussed bilateral cooperation on the peaceful use of atomic energy, alongside nuclear and environmental security in the region, Uzatom said in a Thursday statement."The parties exchanged views on key aspects of Kazakh-Uzbek cooperation in the peaceful use of nuclear energy, the implementation of the nuclear power plant project in the Jizzakh region, as well as matters relating to nuclear and environmental security in the region," the statement said.During the talks, the Kazakh side commended Uzbekistan's accession to the Vienna Convention on Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage, which entered into force on February 7, 2026. The move was highlighted as a significant step that provides important legal assurances for neighboring states and reaffirms Tashkent’s commitment to international safety standards.The discussions also covered future avenues for collaboration, including specialized personnel training, joint scientific research, radioecological monitoring, and the exchange of data on environmental and water management issues. The officials also addressed establishing mechanisms for prompt notification and coordinated response in the event of potential emergencies.The press service noted the importance of creating a permanent operational channel of communication between the relevant agencies of the two countries.Both sides expressed mutual interest in deepening cooperation through the regional center of excellence for nuclear energy. Potential initiatives discussed include joint educational programs, internships, and expert consultations.The parties agreed to maintain the dialogue, with plans for a working visit by representatives of Kazakhstan’s Atomic Energy Agency to Uzatom scheduled for the 3rd or 4th quarter of 2026.In May 2024, AtomStroyExport, the engineering subsidiary of Russia's Rosatom, signed a contract with the Directorate for Construction of Nuclear Power Plants under Uzbekistan’s Atomic Energy Agency for the construction of a small nuclear power plant that would have six reactors of 55 MW each. The project was later updated to include the construction of two large-capacity power units based on Generation III+ VVER-1000 reactors, alongside two units equipped with RITM-200N small reactors, each with a capacity of 55 MW. In October 2025, excavation work began at the designated site in the Jizzakh region to prepare for the foundation of the power unit and reactor. The Jizzakh region shares a border with both Kazakhstan and Tajikistan. (ICE ALMATY)

Fonte notizia: INTERFAX