Permanent Representative of Kazakhstan Presented Credentials to IAEA Director General

Vienna, November 16, 2022 - The Permanent Representative of the Republic of Kazakhstan to the International Organizations in Vienna, Alibek Bakayev, presented his credentials to the Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Rafael Mariano Grossi.

During the conversation, the parties discussed issues of expanding cooperation between Kazakhstan and the IAEA in the peaceful uses of nuclear energy and outlined specific plans for its implementation.

Director General Grossi noted the historical contribution of Kazakhstan to nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation and highly appreciated the reforms of President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev to ensure the energy security of Kazakhstan. In this regard, he expressed readiness to provide all possible support for the development of the national nuclear energy program of our country. In particular, he stressed that the Agency's specialists are already providing the necessary advisory assistance to the Government of Kazakhstan and are planning a follow-up Integrated Nuclear Infrastructure Review in 2023.

The Kazakh diplomat underlined that from the beginning of Kazakhstan’s membership in the IAEA in 1994, active cooperation has continued in such priority areas as human health, water resources management, the environment, agriculture, and the development of the nuclear industry of Kazakhstan. The Permanent Representative of Kazakhstan also expressed his intention to solve the long-standing issue of restoration of sovereign equality in the IAEA and called on the Agency's leadership to provide maximum assistance to resolve it.

Following the meeting, Bakayev presented Director General Grossi the jubilee medal on the occasion of the "30th Anniversary of the Independence of the Republic of Kazakhstan" and invited him to visit Kazakhstan next year.