During its years of independence Kazakhstan has always stood for peace and harmony, for prosperous development of the mankind and our planet as well. It was the beginning when 20 years ago Kazakhstan President Nursultan Nazarbayev signed a historic decree on closure of the Semipalatinsk nuclear test site in August 1991.

‘The world's largest Semipalatinsk nuclear test site, which functioned on the Kazakh soil, conducted 456 nuclear tests. The total effect is equivalent to 116 Chernobyl accidents. The consequences will be felt for a long time. One of the first decrees that I signed as President of Kazakhstan was a document on closing the Semipalatinsk test site,’ N. Nazarbayev said at the nuclear safety summit in Kiev.

Since that time Kazakhstan has been an active participant of the global anti-nuclear movement. Kazakhstan has stood for nonproliferation of nuclear weapons and nuclear disarmament and has always supported the policy aimed at addressing the problems of this sphere participating in the events focused on these issues and promoting the idea of nuclear free world.

It was recently held in the Hague international conference ‘Nuclear Dilemmas: Present and Future’ on August 30 where the delegation that was headed by Secretary of State of Kazakhstan Kanat Saudabayev represented Kazakhstan. Upon the completion of the conference it was noted that the fact that a number of countries took consistent measures and put efforts to reduce the nuclear threat means the world believes and thinks that it is possible to reach this high goal and free the world from the sword of Damocles – nuclear threat.

It is just one of many events that were organized to address the global problem.

So, pursuing the ways to achieve the highest goals put before mankind many conferences are organized for this purpose. October 12-13 is the time when the International Forum for Nuclear-Free World opens in Astana and Semey – the cities where conference and visiting of the test site are planned. It is quite symbolic that the Forum is held on the year of the 20th anniversary of independence of Kazakhstan and 20th anniversary of closure of the Semipalatinsk test site. 
Kazakhstan has demonstrated its commitment to strengthening of fight against nuclear terrorist and exerting every effort for promotion of non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction. The first step that founded the policy of nonproliferation of Kazakhstan was closure of the nuclear test site in its territory.

At the Forum that is taking place in Astana the participants of the event will address the issues regarding the Comprehensive Nuclear Test-Ban Treaty coming into force, develop recommendations on effective introduction of the principles of the nuclear weapon free zones. Besides, the Astana Declaration for Nuclear-Free World is planned to be adopted at the Forum as well.
‘The way towards nuclear-free world lies through integrating efforts of all people of the planet. It is crucial to establish global authoritative and powerful anti-nuclear movement. It is important to declare it at today’s Forum and begin its organization on all continents of the planet,’ N. Nazarbayev said at the Forum today.

The President emphasized that Kazakhstan was leading the pace of global anti-nuclear movement. Kazakhstan decisively freed the world from the biggest concentration of nuclear evil and entered a new stage where was no place for nuclear threat. ‘We made a principle decision in favor of nuclear free history of our country and the whole world,’ N. Nazarbayev emphasized.

Speaking at the event, N. Nazarbayev called the world community for establishing global anti-nuclear movement.

According to the President, the main purpose of the movement should be both the struggle against the nuclear threat and intensive formation of anti-nuclear mentality of the mankind. ‘In this context, I put my high hopes on this Forum,’ the President noted.

Prime Minister of Kazakhstan K. Massimov, State Secretary K. Saudabayev, Head of the Presidential Administration A. Musin, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan Y. Kazykhanov are participating in the work of the Forum. Over 200 guests are invited to the Forum. Heads of international organizations, prominent figures in the sphere of nuclear disarmament, veterans of international politics, representatives of Governments and Parliaments of the world countries, academic and expert communities, representatives of the international and national non-governmental organizations in the sphere of nuclear nonproliferation as well as representatives of the diplomatic corps accredited in Kazakhstan are among the guests of the Forum.

Former South African President and Nobel Peace Prize Winner Frederik Willemde Klerk, IAEA Director General Yukiya Amano, Executive Secretary of the Preparatory Commission for the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organization Tibor Toth, Secretary General of the Collective Security Treaty Organisation Nikolai Bordyuzha, CICA Executive Director Cinar Aldemir, official representatives of the USA, Russia, China and other countries will be among the participants of the event.

The heads of the IAEA and CTBTO and prominent figures of the Forum will visit the Semipalatinsk test site.

The Nuclear Weapons Free World Forum is one of a series of events Kazakhstan is sponsoring, or participating in the lead-up to the Nuclear Security Summit in Seoul, South Korea, in March 2012. The Kazakh Government sees the International Forum for Nuclear Weapons Free World as an important stepping stone to ensure the progress made at the inaugural Nuclear Security Summit, held last year in Washington, D.C. is built upon before it reconvenes in Seoul next year.
Note:

By the Decree of President N.Nazarbayev the Semipalatinsk Nuclear Test Site was closed on August 29, 1991.

The Supreme Council of the Republic of Kazakhstan ratified the Treaty on Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons on December 13, 1993.

Kazakhstan became a member of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) on February 14, 1994.

Kazakhstan signed the Comprehensive Nuclear Test-Ban Treaty at the 51st session of the UN General Assembly on May 13, 2002 and ratified it on December 14, 2001.
Kazakhstan became a member of the Nuclear Suppliers Group on May 13, 2002. The main purpose of the Group is activation of measures taken to struggle with terrorism, counter proliferation of mass destruction weapons, strengthen control over the use and transportation of nuclear materials and dual use goods.

Kazakhstan joined the Krakow Initiative (Proliferation Security Initiative) in July 2005.
 
 
 
PM.kz
 
 
14.10.2011