Statement by the President of Kazakhstan Kasym-Jomart Tokayev on the occasion of the Day of Closing of the Semipalatinsk nuclear test site.

Dear citizens!

Exactly 29 years ago, on August 29, the First President of the Republic of Kazakhstan - President Nursultan Nazarbayev made an unprecedented historic decision to renounce nuclear weapons and became one of the leaders of the anti-nuclear movement. August 29 has been declared the International Day against Nuclear Tests by the United Nations.

Thus, one of the world's largest nuclear test sites, the Semipalatinsk test site, where more than 450 explosions took place, was permanently closed, despite opposition from the former Soviet leadership. This was a decisive step towards the bright future of the younger generation and the long-term future of our state. It has also become a bold initiative that has led to the closure of test sites around the world.

It is clear that our peaceful approach to independence with the principle of nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction was possible due to the political will and prudent policy of the President.

For the first time in history, President Nursultan Nazarbayev has made a significant contribution to ensuring security and peace in the world by making a wise decision to voluntarily close the nuclear test site.

I have no doubt, that this courageous act will forever remain in the history of the world as a bright page.

 

Dear people of Kazakhstan!

Nuclear tests at the Semipalatinsk test site have caused irreparable damage to human health and the environment. They have caused high morbidity and mortality among the population and led to intensive radioactive contamination of the surrounding areas. Approximately one and a half million people lived around the 300,000 square kilometres. Of these, it is estimated that over 500,000 people were directly exposed.

Following the closure of the site, one of the priorities for Kazakhstan was the social rehabilitation of people and territories affected by long-term nuclear tests.

 

To this end, the First President of Kazakhstan, Nursultan Abishevich Nazarbayev, signed the Law on Social Protection of Citizens Affected by Nuclear Tests at the Semipalatinsk Nuclear Test Site on 18 December 1992. It provides for a set of measures on treatment, recovery, rehabilitation, social protection of the population and socio-economic development of the territory of the former test site.

Systematic work in this area is continuing. The Government of the Republic of Kazakhstan is currently considering further gradual expansion of social guarantees for this category of citizens.

At the same time, ensuring safety at the former test site has become a top priority of state policy.

The lack of proper control and open access to the territory of the former nuclear test site significantly increased the risks associated with violations of the non-proliferation regime and the threat of nuclear terrorism.

The timely measures taken by the country's leadership on non-proliferation of nuclear weapons almost completely eliminated the threat to the international community from uncontrolled spread of a powerful nuclear arsenal.

Thus, the test site from the potential cause of the nuclear crisis has become the object of scientific research. A multi-level protection system has been established to ensure reliable protection of hazardous facilities. Seven major projects have been implemented aimed at the rehabilitation of contaminated areas.

Next year, a comprehensive environmental survey will be completed on the entire 18,500 square kilometres, which is comparable to the area of some European countries.

Overall, the scientific, technical and engineering work that ensured the safe condition of the former Semipalatinsk test site is still unprecedented in the world.

It should be emphasised that the denuclearisation of the site was carried out as part of Kazakhstan's broad cooperation with countries such as the Russian Federation, the United States and other countries, as well as international organisations, primarily the IAEA. We are very grateful to our partners for long-term and fruitful cooperation in this strategically important area.

Dear citizens!

The initiatives of the First President of the Republic of Kazakhstan - President Nursultan Nazarbayev on the closure of the Semipalatinsk nuclear test site and other initiatives on global security have defined our commitment to peace.

Under the wise leadership of the President, a unique world model of development of the state without destructive weapons has been formed. Our country has become an active member of the international movement in the field of nuclear security.

On the eve of the 30th anniversary of independence, I can say with confidence that the Republic of Kazakhstan will continue to take an active part in strengthening international security, developing cooperation between states, and resolving global conflicts peacefully.