The Secretariat of the Kazakhstan Pugwash Committee reports that, on 28 August 2026, a round table marking the 35th anniversary of the closure of the Semipalatinsk Nuclear Test Site (STS) was held at the National Nuclear Center of the Republic of Kazakhstan.
The event brought together approximately 200 participants, including representatives of the Atomic Energy Agency of the Republic of Kazakhstan, the akimats of the Abai and Pavlodar regions, government bodies, research organisations, and the expert community.
The main topics of discussion were the results of Kazakhstan’s work following the closure of the SNTS, as well as current priorities in the peaceful use of atomic energy, radiation safety, and nuclear non-proliferation.
The closure of the SNTS on 29 August 1991 determined Kazakhstan’s subsequent course in the nuclear sphere. Over the past 35 years, the country has progressed from addressing the consequences of nuclear testing to developing its own scientific capabilities and actively contributing to the strengthening of the international non-proliferation regime.
Particular attention was given to the achievements of the National Nuclear Center of the Republic of Kazakhstan. The Center’s specialists carried out a comprehensive programme to eliminate and place the test infrastructure in a safe condition, investigate nuclear legacy sites, and strengthen the non-proliferation regime. They also completed a comprehensive radioecological survey of more than 18,000 km² of the former STS territory, which made it possible to identify areas where radiation risks remain, as well as land that poses no radiation hazard to the public.
The research findings provided the scientific basis for government decisions on the further management of the territory and the establishment of the Semipalatinsk Nuclear Safety Zone.
The round-table participants highlighted the international significance of Kazakhstan’s experience, which demonstrates the role of consistent government policy, scientific expertise, and international cooperation in addressing the challenges of the nuclear legacy.
Source: https://www.nnc.kz/ru/news/show/700