Committee for Industrial, Radiation and Nuclear Safety under the Cabinet of Ministers of the Republic of Uzbekistan

A delegation from the Republic of Uzbekistan is also taking part. Aybek Mukhammedjonov, Deputy Head of the Department of the Committee on Industrial, Radiation, and Nuclear Safety, reported:

— The delegation of Uzbekistan, led by the Committee under the Cabinet of Ministers on Industrial, Radiation, and Nuclear Safety and composed of representatives from the “Uzatom” Agency, the Institute of Nuclear Physics of the Academy of Sciences, and the state enterprise “Navoiuran”, is participating in the 8th Meeting of the Contracting Parties to the Joint Convention (adopted on 5 September 1997, Vienna) on the Safety of Spent Fuel Management and the Safety of Radioactive Waste Management.

On March 17 of this year, at the headquarters of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Uzbekistan presented its third National Report. This report confirms the country’s commitment to international standards of nuclear safety. Uzbekistan joined the Convention in 2008 and officially began fulfilling its obligations in 2009.

It is important to note that the Joint Convention is the only legally binding international legal instrument at the global level that ensures the safety of handling spent nuclear fuel and radioactive waste from generation to disposal. Uzbekistan's report was discussed in the presence of representatives from major nuclear energy countries such as the United Kingdom, Czech Republic, Canada, Ukraine, the USA, Russian Federation, China, and Germany.

The report highlighted safe management of spent fuel and radioactive waste, radiation safety, use of nuclear energy, and licensing processes. Among the achievements were the successful discharge of liquid nuclear waste from the IIN-3M "FOTON" research reactor, and environmental remediation efforts at former uranium sites in Chorkesar and Yangiobod aimed at reducing future risks.

The report also drew attention to Uzbekistan’s efforts to train qualified professionals in nuclear safety, including collaboration with the Tashkent branch of the National Research Nuclear University “MEPhI” and other higher education institutions.

Uzbekistan’s participation in this international conference is a key step toward integrating into the global nuclear safety community, reflecting its commitment to expanding international cooperation and reducing risks associated with nuclear waste.

Additionally, the country's involvement in the Convention helps strengthen collaboration with the IAEA and other international bodies, provides opportunities to learn from best practices in radiation safety, and supports the improvement of national legislation. The presented report and active engagement in discussions reaffirm Uzbekistan’s readiness to operate in line with international nuclear safety standards.

The meeting will conclude on March 28.