Center for State Ecological Expertise

The negotiations were attended by representatives of relevant state bodies and organizations of Uzbekistan, including Iskandar Alisherovich Kutbiddinov, Deputy Chairman of the National Committee of the Republic of Uzbekistan for Ecology and Climate Change, as well as representatives of the State Center for Environmental Expertise, including Deputy Director General V. V. Shi-syan.

The meeting focused primarily on environmental, radiation, and nuclear safety issues related to the implementation of the nuclear power plant project, including environmental impact assessment (EIA) and state environmental expertise procedures.

The parties discussed approaches to assessing the potential environmental impact of the facility throughout all stages of its life cycle, from construction to operation. Particular attention was paid to air quality and water bodies, radiation background levels, waste management, water resource use, environmental and radiation monitoring, as well as measures to prevent and minimize potential adverse impacts.

Special attention was given to the issue of potential transboundary impacts. The parties considered approaches to assessing the atmospheric transport of pollutants and radionuclides, taking into account meteorological conditions, wind direction and speed, as well as potential impacts on water bodies and territories of neighboring countries.

As part of the EIA materials, the parties discussed the results and approaches used for calculating the atmospheric dispersion of radionuclides, assessing the existing baseline environmental conditions, and forecasting possible changes in environmental components under normal operating conditions and in the event of design-basis accident scenarios.

A separate part of the negotiations focused on the organization of an environmental monitoring system. The parties discussed monitoring of radiation conditions, ambient air quality, surface and groundwater, and soil, as well as the establishment of an environmental information exchange system to ensure the timely identification of potential changes in environmental conditions.

Representatives of the National Committee of the Republic of Uzbekistan for Ecology and Climate Change and the State Center for Environmental Expertise briefed the Kazakh side on Uzbekistan’s approaches to the environmental assessment of the nuclear power plant project, including the analysis of baseline environmental conditions, assessment of potential impacts, and planned environmental protection measures.

An important component of the environmental assessment is also consideration of the transboundary nature of potential impacts and cooperation with neighboring states, including the exchange of relevant information and consultations on environmental issues.

The parties reaffirmed their commitment to continuing regular expert dialogue and cooperation aimed at ensuring the environmentally safe and responsible development of peaceful nuclear energy in Central Asia.