The consolidation of efforts in the disposal of radioactive waste and the socio-economic development of areas where hazardous facilities are located will be a key topic of the Second International Forum “Sustainable Development of Mountain Territories.”
Forum participants from the countries of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) will exchange information and experience, discuss how to ensure sustainable outcomes of reclamation work, identify the latest technologies that enhance environmental safety and economic efficiency in the use of nuclear energy, and explore ways to build dialogue with local communities in this complex but vital area.
Currently, there are 145 nuclear legacy sites in the countries of the region, 54 of which are located in Central Asia, mostly in mountainous areas.
These facilities were established during the Soviet period and, in many cases, do not meet modern nuclear, radiation, and environmental safety requirements. Addressing this issue requires the combined efforts of multiple states.
Over the past 10 years, measures have been implemented in the Central Asian region to ensure radiation and environmental safety. Within the framework of the CIS, the Interstate Target Program “Reclamation of Territories of States Affected by Uranium Mining Operations” has been successfully carried out. The program’s customer-coordinator is the Russian State Atomic Energy Corporation “ROSATOM”.
Summing up the results of the reclamation of former uranium mining sites in Central Asia for 2023, experts from the IAEA’s Coordination Group for Uranium Legacy Sites (CGULS) concluded that post-remediation activities at former uranium industry facilities are becoming increasingly important, as they are directly linked to the socio-economic development of adjacent communities. The sustainability of reclamation outcomes largely depends on the well-being of nearby populations.
The forum will invite the participation of heads of municipalities from Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan located in close proximity to nuclear energy facilities, as well as representatives of executive authorities, international organizations, and specialized agencies from the CIS countries.
Participants will present examples demonstrating the impact of implemented reclamation projects on the socio-economic situation of neighboring territories, many of which were established during the development of nuclear energy complexes. Heads of municipalities from Gomel Region (Belarus), Sughd Region (Tajikistan), and Jalal-Abad and Naryn Regions (Kyrgyzstan) will share their experience in implementing projects and programs for the development of affected areas.
The discussions may result in the development of unified recommendations for improving public engagement practices in special territories, proposals for legislative support of their sustainable development, and the establishment of contacts between participants for further cooperation and information exchange.
Decisions being made today are aimed not only at solving current tasks but also at ensuring long-term safety. An important factor in assessing the sustainability of nuclear energy is the approach to radioactive waste management. The development of effective and safe radioactive waste management infrastructure is a strategic goal for the global nuclear industry.
Alongside the CIS Interparliamentary Assembly, the discussion will be co-organized by JSC TVEL, which, in 2021, was designated by the CIS Economic Council as the CIS Base Organization for the Management of Spent Nuclear Fuel, Radioactive Waste and Decommissioning of Nuclear and Radiation Hazardous Facilities.
The Second International Forum “Sustainable Development of Mountain Territories” will take place in Makhachkala on 1–3 October 2025.
The event is organized by the CIS Interparliamentary Assembly, the Federation Council of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation, the Government of the Republic of Dagestan, the Russian Academy of Sciences, and the Civic Chamber of the Russian Federation.
Forum participants from the countries of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) will exchange information and experience, discuss how to ensure sustainable outcomes of reclamation work, identify the latest technologies that enhance environmental safety and economic efficiency in the use of nuclear energy, and explore ways to build dialogue with local communities in this complex but vital area.
Currently, there are 145 nuclear legacy sites in the countries of the region, 54 of which are located in Central Asia, mostly in mountainous areas.
These facilities were established during the Soviet period and, in many cases, do not meet modern nuclear, radiation, and environmental safety requirements. Addressing this issue requires the combined efforts of multiple states.
Over the past 10 years, measures have been implemented in the Central Asian region to ensure radiation and environmental safety. Within the framework of the CIS, the Interstate Target Program “Reclamation of Territories of States Affected by Uranium Mining Operations” has been successfully carried out. The program’s customer-coordinator is the Russian State Atomic Energy Corporation “ROSATOM”.
Summing up the results of the reclamation of former uranium mining sites in Central Asia for 2023, experts from the IAEA’s Coordination Group for Uranium Legacy Sites (CGULS) concluded that post-remediation activities at former uranium industry facilities are becoming increasingly important, as they are directly linked to the socio-economic development of adjacent communities. The sustainability of reclamation outcomes largely depends on the well-being of nearby populations.
The forum will invite the participation of heads of municipalities from Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan located in close proximity to nuclear energy facilities, as well as representatives of executive authorities, international organizations, and specialized agencies from the CIS countries.
Participants will present examples demonstrating the impact of implemented reclamation projects on the socio-economic situation of neighboring territories, many of which were established during the development of nuclear energy complexes. Heads of municipalities from Gomel Region (Belarus), Sughd Region (Tajikistan), and Jalal-Abad and Naryn Regions (Kyrgyzstan) will share their experience in implementing projects and programs for the development of affected areas.
The discussions may result in the development of unified recommendations for improving public engagement practices in special territories, proposals for legislative support of their sustainable development, and the establishment of contacts between participants for further cooperation and information exchange.
Decisions being made today are aimed not only at solving current tasks but also at ensuring long-term safety. An important factor in assessing the sustainability of nuclear energy is the approach to radioactive waste management. The development of effective and safe radioactive waste management infrastructure is a strategic goal for the global nuclear industry.
Alongside the CIS Interparliamentary Assembly, the discussion will be co-organized by JSC TVEL, which, in 2021, was designated by the CIS Economic Council as the CIS Base Organization for the Management of Spent Nuclear Fuel, Radioactive Waste and Decommissioning of Nuclear and Radiation Hazardous Facilities.
The Second International Forum “Sustainable Development of Mountain Territories” will take place in Makhachkala on 1–3 October 2025.
The event is organized by the CIS Interparliamentary Assembly, the Federation Council of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation, the Government of the Republic of Dagestan, the Russian Academy of Sciences, and the Civic Chamber of the Russian Federation.