TASHKENT, June 26. /Dunyo IA/.  Today, University of World Economy and Diplomacy is hosting the Tashkent Dialogue on a Nuclear-Weapon-Free Zone, themed “The Safe Atomic Future of Central Asia: From non-proliferation to risk management”, reports Dunyo IA correspondent from the venue.

Event is co-organized by the Institute for Strategic and Regional Studies under the President of Uzbekistan, the Institute for Advanced International Studies under the University of World Economy and Diplomacy (UWED) and James Martin Center for Nonproliferation Studies at the Middlebury Institute of International Studies at Monterey.

Forum brings together over 50 representatives from Uzbekistan and the United States, including heads and experts from government agencies, think tanks, and research organizations, alongside specialists in nuclear security, non-proliferation, and the peaceful use of atomic energy. Among the participants are former officials of the US Presidential Administration and the National Security Council, as well as scholars and analysts from the world’s leading universities.

During the plenary sessions and thematic panels, participants are discussing the evolving role of Central Asia within the changing global nuclear and geopolitical landscape, ensuring safety amidst the development of peaceful atomic energy and nuclear power, managing nuclear and radiological risks, as well as strengthening the physical protection and cybersecurity of nuclear energy facilities.

Participants emphasize that against the backdrop of intensifying geopolitical tensions and rising strategic uncertainty, strengthening non-proliferation regimes and developing regional security mechanisms are of paramount importance. It is particularly underscored that Central Asia remains the only region in the Northern Hemisphere to possess a legally binding status as a nuclear-weapon-free zone.

Particular attention is dedicated to the development of the peaceful use of atomic energy, the refinement of national regulatory frameworks, the training of qualified personnel, and the expansion of engagement with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). According to the participants, the region's nuclear-weapon-free status implies not only the renunciation of nuclear weapons but also a profound responsibility for the safe management of nuclear materials and technologies.

Within the framework of the discussions, the issues of managing nuclear and radiological risks are also being considered against the backdrop of Central Asia’s transformation into one of Eurasia’s pivotal transport and logistics hubs. The participants note the necessity of developing mechanisms for information exchange, early warning, and the coordination of actions among the relevant agencies of the region's states.

A separate block of discussions is dedicated to the impact of climate change and environmental challenges on nuclear and radiological security. Experts underscore the importance of the safe maintenance of uranium legacy sites, the prevention of environmental pollution, and the integration of environmental and nuclear agendas within regional cooperation.

The forum participants emphasize that Uzbekistan consistently acts as one of the key initiators for strengthening regional security and cooperation in Central Asia. In this context, the Tashkent Dialogue is viewed as a novel expert-political platform aimed at developing practical mechanisms for threat prevention, refining the risk management system, and expanding cooperation with the IAEA.

Following the conclusion of the event, it is planned to draft recommendations on developing regional mechanisms for information exchange and early warning, expanding engagement with international organizations, training specialists, and further institutionalizing the Tashkent Dialogue as a permanent platform for nuclear and radiological security issues in Central Asia.