On September 25, 2023 the 67th session of the General Conference of the International Atomic Energy Agency (hereinafter - IAEA) began in Vienna (Austria) with the participation of 177 member states of the Agency. The delegation of the Ministry of Energy of the Republic of Kazakhstan (ME RK), headed by Minister Almasadam Satkaliyev, as well as the representatives of the subordinate organizations of the Ministry of Energy of the Republic of Kazakhstan: RSE Institute of Nuclear Physics (INP), JSC Samruk-Kazyna, JSC NAC Kazatomprom, RSE National Nuclear Center of RK and Kazakhstan Nuclear Power Plants LLP are taking part in the conference from Kazakhstan. INP is represented by the INP General Director Sayabek Sakhiyev and the Director of the Department of Nuclear, Radiation and Environmental Safety of the INP Murat Tulegenov.
The General Conference is a platform for discussing the strategic issues in the nuclear industry. Over the course of the week, the delegates will be able to discuss a range of topics related to nuclear science, technologies and applications, as well as the IAEA's activities in nuclear security and safety, enhancing the effectiveness and efficiency of the Agency's safeguards.
During the Plenary session, the Minister of Energy of the Republic of Kazakhstan reported on the main areas of cooperation between Kazakhstan and the IAEA. In the speech, the Minister emphasized that with the support of the IAEA, the production of radiopharmaceuticals (hereinafter - RFP) for medical needs has been established and is successfully functioning; personnel training and advanced training of nuclear industry specialists is provided. In his speech, Minister Satkaliyev A. noted that the INP has concluded an agreement with the IAEA for the supply of radiopharmaceuticals to Bishkek, and would also initiate the supply of Co-57 to France soon.
On February 14, 1994, the Republic of Kazakhstan became the 121st member of the IAEA. Today, one of the main international collaborations of the INP is cooperation with the IAEA. Under the IAEA Technical Cooperation Program, the national and regional projects had a great impact on resolving the issues of nuclear and radiation safety in the country and contributed to the successful development of the peaceful use of atomic energy. At the Institute there are three training centers that were established under the IAEA support: Radiation Safety Training Center, Training Center for Non-Destructive Testing, Nuclear Security Training Center - the activities of these Centers imply personnel training for the nuclear industry.
Inspection of the peaceful use of nuclear materials and technologies in the research reactors is an important part of the IAEA's work. The Agency has equal requirements for NPPs and research reactors. Therefore, the only stationary research reactor WWR-K in Kazakhstan, has been successfully operating at the INP for 56 years without any disruptions. In the framework of the conference, the INP participates and presents its products at an open country exhibition. The exhibition area is dedicated to the production activities of the Institute and presents radiopharmaceuticals for diagnostics and monitoring of oncological diseases treatment, as well as sterile hydrogel dressings “Aqua Dress” for medical application (first aid for burns), produced at the Institute. The IAEA General Conference will last until September 29. A number of important decisions will be made in the development of the global nuclear industry according to the results of the conference.
