Tashkent hosted an international conference on “Prospects for the development of nuclear energy in the Central Asian states and environmental aspects of the operation of low-power NPPs”.

The International Union of Veterans of Nuclear Energy and Industry and the Council of Veterans of Nuclear Science and Technology at the Institute of Nuclear Physics of the Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Uzbekistan organized the event.

Veterans of the nuclear industry of the CIS and Europe attended the event. Scientists and experts in nuclear energy and technology from Russia, Armenia, Belarus, Hungary, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan discussed the advantages of low-power nuclear power plants (LPNPPs), issues of practical solutions to energy problems in the Central Asian region, the fuel cycle of small reactors, as well as environmental aspects of small-scale energy.

Vitaly Lebedenko, Deputy Chairman and Executive Secretary of the International Union of Veterans of Nuclear Energy and Industry noted in his welcoming speech: “The development of nuclear technologies opens up the prospect of using nuclear sources in medicine, space, seawater desalination, and even in the service of food production”.

Sirajiddin Mirzayev, Vice President of the Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Uzbekistan, said during the opening of the conference: “Today we have a unique opportunity to discuss not only existing solutions in nuclear energy, but also the challenges that our countries face. I am confident that exchanging opinions and experience will become the basis for new initiatives and solutions contributing to the sustainable development of nuclear energy and environmental protection”.

In his speech, Ilham Sadikov, Director of the Institute of Nuclear Physics of the Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Uzbekistan, detailed the current state of nuclear technologies in Uzbekistan based on the INP’s areas of activity, including the production of radioisotopes and radiopharmaceuticals, coloring of natural minerals, and sterilization of medical products.

Scientists were awarded as part of the conference. The INP Director, Academician Ilham Sadikov, and the Head of the INP Laboratory of Ecology and Biotechnology, Professor Bakhtiyar Kurbanov were awarded the Medals of the International Union of Veterans of Nuclear Energy and Industry “For Contribution to the Development of Nuclear Energy and Industry”.

Following the conference, a resolution was adopted in which the participants noted the important role of nuclear energy as a key factor in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.

Nasiba Ziyodullayeva, UzA