Kazakhstan’s nuclear agency advances cooperation with Switzerland

Photo: Agency of Kazakhstan for Atomic Energy

BAKU, Azerbaijan, October 21. Agency of Kazakhstan for Atomic Energy held meetings with Swiss officials and representatives of radioactive waste management company NAGRA in Bern on October 20 to discuss cooperation in nuclear safety and radioactive waste management, according to the agency.

The Kazakh delegation included representatives of the National Nuclear Center of Kazakhstan and the Embassy of Kazakhstan in Switzerland.

During the visit, the delegation met with Benoît Revaz, Director of the Swiss Federal Office of Energy. The sides discussed prospects for cooperation in the peaceful use of nuclear energy and the exchange of experience in nuclear energy regulation and nuclear safety.

Particular attention was paid to improving Kazakhstan’s national nuclear and radiation regulatory system in line with international standards and Swiss experience.

The delegation also met with representatives of NAGRA compnay to discuss practical cooperation between the company and Kazakhstan’s National Nuclear Center.

The two organizations had previously signed a memorandum of understanding and prepared a cooperation roadmap focused on the safe management of radioactive waste.

Kazakhstan is working to establish a modern national system for radioactive waste management. The country’s law on radioactive waste management has entered into force, providing a legal framework for regulating all stages of the process, from waste generation and temporary storage to final disposal.

The agency said that studying Swiss experience and applying international practices were important for implementing Kazakhstan’s national projects in this area.

The meetings reaffirmed the sides’ interest in continuing professional dialogue and exchanging experience in the peaceful use of nuclear energy, nuclear safety and radioactive waste management.

Kazakhstan’s National Nuclear Center, based in Kurchatov, conducts research in nuclear energy and safety. It operates the IVG.1M and IGR research reactors and carries out studies on reactor safety and materials science.

NAGRA specializes in developing solutions for the safe management of radioactive waste, including its final disposal.