Kazakhstan launched a Center for Operational Monitoring and Response to Nuclear and Radiation Incidents on October 2. Its opening was announced by the Atomic Energy Agency, according to infohub.kz.
The center was established through cooperation between Kazakhstan and the United States, with support from the U.S. Department of Energy's National Nuclear Security Administration (DOE/NNSA). Representatives of the Atomic Energy Agency, the U.S. Embassy, and DOE/NNSA attended the opening ceremony.
The new body's main tasks are to track and analyze the radiation situation, ensure prompt information exchange, and coordinate actions during nuclear and radiation incidents.
According to the agency, the center's work is intended to provide timely access to reliable data for making prompt and informed decisions. It is also expected to enhance the national nuclear and radiation safety system's readiness for possible incidents and to help establish interaction between government agencies and specialized organizations.
Future plans include developing the center's technical and analytical capabilities, improving interagency cooperation, training specialists and upgrading their qualifications, and conducting practical drills.
Earlier, Kursiv reported that at the BRICS Plus summit in New Delhi, President of Kazakhstan Qasym-Jomart Toqaev called on nuclear powers to resume high-level dialogue to reduce risks, including those related to new technologies. The President warned that protracted conflicts and the weakening of the international security system increase the risk of a new arms race and strategic miscalculations.