On January 28, 2021, the 4th meeting of the Pugwash Committee of Kazakhstan at KazNANS was held.
The meeting was attended by members of the Pugwash Committee of Kazakhstan and the Youth Branch of the Committee, as well as invited participants:
- Saveliev S.R., senior expert of the Institute of Foreign Policy Studies under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan;
- Masalimov Zh.K., Associate Professor of the Department of Biotechnology, ENU named after L.Gumilyov;
- Idrisov A.T., Advisor of the Director General of the KazRENA Association.
In his opening remarks, the Chairman of the Committee, Professor Shkolnik V.S.:
- noted the importance and relevance of the work carried out by the Pugwash Committee of Kazakhstan and these tasks can become an important area of activity in the post-pandemic period;
- emphasized that Pugwash can contribute to the promotion of both the "Treaty on the Banning of Nuclear Testing" and the improvement of other legal instruments in the field of nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation. At the same time, the expansion of international collaboration in this field is a feasible and promising task of the Pugwash.
Secretary of the Committee, professor Akhmetov T.Z. presented information “On the implementation of the "Action Plan of the PCK for 2020" and the draft of "Action Plan of the PCK for 2021". All proposals for the PCK action plan for 2021 were unanimously adopted.
In accordance with the agenda, the participants also spoke at the meeting:
- Ramankulov E.M., informed about the initiatives of the RSE "National Center for Biotechnology" of the SK MES RK, in particular about the creation of kits for detecting coronavirus by PCR based on the published WHO protocols and the beginning of diagnostics using them and the development of a completely domestic and reliable PCR test -system, also emphasized the importance of vaccination of the population against COVID - 19 with the direct support of the state.
- Zhaparov B.A. emphasized the relevance of the development of digital technologies, especially today during the pandemic. He proposed to consider the possibility of holding an international videoconference jointly with the PCK on the topic "Scientific and educational computer integration of Kazakhstani science and higher education with world centers". He noted the need for joint efforts in the countries of Central Asia in order to attract and cooperate scientists, engineers, students, including to strengthen the leading role of Kazakhstan in this direction. In general, the Pugwash Committee of Kazakhstan can play a key role as an integrator, administrator and organizer of educational, scientific and technical services.
- Sarmurzina R.G. thanked the members of the Committee for their well-coordinated work and noted the productive activities in the framework of the implementation of the tasks of the Committee's action plan, taking into account the new unforeseen circumstances associated with the pandemic.
- Miniyazov A.Zh. noted the active participation of the members of the Youth Branch of the Committee in organizing a number of seminars and meetings dedicated to topical issues of biotechnology and cybersecurity, as well as clarifying and preparing joint events for international cooperation for 2021, in particular with the youth groups of the Russian Federation and the United Kingdom.
This year, the main work of the Youth branch of the Committee will be aimed at strengthening international cooperation with ISYP and assistance in holding events with the involvement of young scientists and students of domestic research institutes and universities, in order to involve them in the activities of the Pugwash.
- Saveliev S.R., drew attention to the statement of the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan K.K. Tokayev at the UN General Assembly that achieving a world free of nuclear weapons remains the main priority for our country; stressed that despite the pandemic, the beginning of this year has become to some extent encouraging in the area of arms control and non-proliferation - the "Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons" entered into force; US and Russia agree to extend START; there has been progress in the renewal of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action for the Iranian nuclear program.
Professor Shkolnik V.S. summed up the results of the meeting, noting that the Committee completed almost all the activities in its activities, in accordance with the “Action Plan for 2020”, with the exception of the events postponed to 2021 for reasons independent of the PCK.
Despite temporary difficulties, the work on strengthening international relations continues, the active work of the Committee brings its results in the form of expanding interaction between scientists, which in turn leads to the initiation and organization of joint scientific projects.