The Kyrgyz Parliament is reviewing legislation on the country’s accession to two pivotal international agreements concerning nuclear and radiological safety: the Convention on Assistance in the Case of a Nuclear Accident or Radiological Emergency, and the Convention on Early Notification of a Nuclear Accident. Both conventions were adopted in Vienna in 1986 in response to the Chornobyl disaster and established frameworks for international cooperation during radiation emergencies.
The legislative initiative was prompted by concerns raised by the Ministry of Natural Resources, Ecology, and Technical Supervision regarding the risks posed by radioactive materials used in industry and medicine. Presenting the draft bills to parliament, Deputy Minister Asel Raimkulova underscored the necessity of safeguarding public health and the environment.
“Ensuring the safety of people and protecting nature from radiation threats are of paramount importance,” Raimkulova stated.
According to the ministry, joining these conventions would grant Kyrgyzstan access to timely information on radiation incidents occurring abroad, as well as technical and expert assistance from international agencies. It would also facilitate closer collaboration with other countries in radiation safety, monitoring, and emergency response.
Hazardous Legacy: Radioactive Waste Sites
A further rationale for accession lies in the legacy of toxic and radioactive waste across Kyrgyzstan. The Ministry of Emergency Situations reports 92 hazardous waste sites nationwide, including 23 uranium tailings ponds. The remaining sites contain materials such as heavy metals, cyanides, and other toxic substances.
Building Capacity Through International Training
In an effort to bolster domestic capabilities, a recent radiological safety training session was held in Bishkek with the involvement of experts from the U.S. Department of Energy. The training was attended by personnel from the Ministry of Natural Resources, Ministry of Internal Affairs, Ministry of Emergency Situations, and customs agencies. Participants received both theoretical and practical instruction on radiological threat assessments, facility protection, and emergency response protocols.
