Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — On 22 August 2024, the first meeting of the advisory body of the basic organization of CIS member states on national nuclear infrastructure development, JSC "Rosatom Service," took place. This was reported by the press service of the CIS Executive Committee.

Representatives from the Republic of Belarus, the Republic of Kazakhstan, the Kyrgyz Republic, the Russian Federation, the Republic of Uzbekistan, the CIS Executive Committee, and the Secretariat of the CIS Commission on the Use of Atomic Energy for Peaceful Purposes participated in the meeting.

Mikhail Myskin, Director of the Economic Cooperation Department of the CIS Executive Committee, gave the opening speech. He informed that in 2022, the CIS Economic Council approved the Program for the Development of National Nuclear Infrastructures in CIS Member States as part of the Framework Program for Cooperation in the Field of Atomic Energy for Peaceful Purposes up to 2030.

This comprehensive document outlines tasks for enhancing the human resource potential of the nuclear sector, safety culture, and regulatory framework, supported by an action plan for nuclear infrastructure development. This area of cooperation is particularly relevant in light of ongoing and developing nuclear projects in the CIS space, such as the operation of nuclear power plants in Belarus, the construction of a small nuclear power plant in Uzbekistan, and potentially the development of peaceful nuclear programs in Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan. Myskin expressed confidence that the advisory body of the basic organization would contribute to the further development of joint nuclear infrastructure projects.

The advisory body of the basic organization is a public council consisting of specialized bodies, departments, and organizations involved in the development of national nuclear infrastructures in CIS member states. During the first meeting, the members discussed the strategic directions of the basic organization’s activities and approved the regulatory documents governing its work.

Yulia Chernyakhovskaya, Deputy Head of the Basic Organization and Deputy Director of the JSC "Rosatom Service" branch in Hungary for nuclear infrastructure and personnel training, presented the results of the basic organization’s work in 2024 and the work plan for the next year.

“This year, we conducted online events and field seminars on safety culture, legislative and regulatory frameworks, and national positions for over 150 representatives of CIS organizations. We have developed methodological documents aimed at improving the nuclear knowledge management system and enhancing human resource potential in the field of atomic energy.

Regulatory bodies, IAEA, and WANO representatives actively participate in our work.

To establish the framework for cooperation between the basic organization and the IAEA and to determine priority areas of interaction, practical agreements with the IAEA have been prepared, with signing scheduled for the 2025 work plan.

Next year, we plan to continue conducting both multilateral and bilateral events in the field of nuclear industry economics, nuclear infrastructure assessment, safety culture, and leadership, as well as other infrastructure areas based on the needs and tasks facing CIS member states.”

As a result of the meeting, the members of the advisory body approved the basic organization’s work plan for nuclear infrastructure for 2025 for subsequent approval by the CIS Commission on the Use of Atomic Energy for Peaceful Purposes.