NSS 2014: Kazakhstan as a key player

By Colin Stevens

At the Nuclear Security Summit – NSS 2014 – Kazakhstan President Nursultan Nazarbayev called on the international community to continue its work, as humanity was witnessing  a "renaissance" of nuclear power, with an annual increase in demand for  additional reliable sources of energy for sustainable development.

"We are on the verge of discovering new types of energy, superior in terms of power and efficiency to atomic energy. The task is to make them safe and accessible,'' Nazarbayev said.

But this process could lead to increased risks associated with sensitive technology and materials, to an increase in the threat of nuclear terrorism,  he added. Kazakhstan has fully realized the goals and objectives set at previous meetings and suggested further improvements to national legislations worldwide to achieve an international standard in the field of nuclear safety.

According to the president, the development of international instruments to ensure the security of nuclear materials outside the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons will contribute to address strengthening global nuclear safety. Physical security in the development and implementation of new nuclear technologies is another matter of concern.

Sadly, The Hague event took place during a global security crisis, and the reason for this alarming siutation is the lack of political will to end double standards and the selective application of international law, according  to Nazarbayev.

He considers it paramount that nuclear powers adhere to their obligations scrupulously. Twenty years ago Kazakhstan, Belarus and Ukraine made a significant contribution to strengthening global nuclear safety. Kazakhstan voluntarily renounced its inventory of nuclear weapons and joined the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons as a non-nuclear state.

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''Therefore, we all must take with the greatest concern the irresponsible statements of some politicians about the return of the nuclear status of Ukraine -  a countryin which there are five nuclear power plants, 15 nuclear reactors, and potential in the field of missile technology," said Nazarbayev. Kazakhstan continues to advocate for strengthening global nuclear safety , pointing towards problematic areas such as general and complete nuclear disarmament and combating nuclear terrorism.

Kazakhstan is a very active participant in the process of disarmament and, as a state, closed the world's largest Semipalatinsk nuclear test site and renounced its nuclear arsenal. However, the campaign against terrorism should not limit the right of states to peaceful nuclear programmes,  exchanges of technology and equipment, knowledge and experience.  Kazakhstan plans to develop a full-cycle production of nuclear fuel for nuclear power plants and build nuclear power plants, added Nazarbayev. The country supports the further enhancement of the role and authority of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), supportng the creation of new zones free of nuclear weapons , including the Middle East.

Kazakhstan, jointly with the US and Russia, eliminated landfill infrastructure.  Work is continuing on the security of the former nuclear test facility.  The country's nuclear activities come under the full scope International Atomic Energy Agency  (IAEA) safeguards.

''We supported the IAEA initiative to establish an international bank of low-enriched uranium  and of completing negotiations on its placement on its territory,'' said Nazarbayev.  Two years ago, he initiated G-Global search for ways out of the crisis. This format has found a swift response, and today it involves around 190 countries. In conclusion, President Nazarbayev emphasized the need to understand all responsibilities to the international community. US President Barack Obama said that he very much appreciated the leadership and efforts of President Nazarbayev "in making the world a safer place".

Colin Stevens

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