The CIS Commission gathered for the first time in Tashkent to discuss key issues of using atomic energy for peaceful purposes. At the 26th meeting, which took place on December 17, representatives of Uzbekistan, Russia, Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan considered the prospects for small nuclear reactors, reclamation of uranium tailings, and the use of nuclear technologies for the disposal of hazardous waste.
Opening the meeting, Nozim Muksinov, Deputy Director of the Uzatom Agency, noted that holding the meeting in Tashkent confirms the growing role of Uzbekistan in the international nuclear energy dialogue. Participants emphasized that the development of nuclear energy is possible only if the highest safety standards are observed. According to representatives of Uzatom, work is underway in the country to build public confidence in the NPP project and train specialized personnel.
One of the central issues was small-capacity reactors, which are already used in Russia and are being considered for implementation in Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan. The parties also discussed the progress of the interstate program for the reclamation of territories affected by uranium mining, and approved the interim results of the implementation of the plan for cooperation between the CIS countries in the field of peaceful atom until 2030.
Special attention was paid to environmental challenges. The discussion focused on the disposal of accumulated stocks of unused pesticides, the volume of which in Central Asian countries is estimated at tens of thousands of tons, as well as the processing of lithium batteries against the background of the growth of electric transport. Participants agreed that nuclear and radiation technologies could become the basis for safe and scientifically sound solutions to these problems.