Washington, D.C., September 17, 2026 – The Carnegie Endowment for International Peace hosted an expert discussion titled “Earthshaking: Lessons from Kazakhstan for Managing Today’s Nuclear Dangers,” marking the 35th anniversary of the closure of the Semipalatinsk Nuclear Test Site and the 20th anniversary of the signing of the Treaty on a Nuclear-Weapon-Free Zone in Central Asia.

The event was organized by the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace and the Council on Strategic Risks with the support of the Embassy of the Republic of Kazakhstan in the United States.

The discussion brought together Ambassador of Kazakhstan to the United States Magzhan Ilyassov, members of the U.S. House of Representatives Dina Titus and Bill Foster, Corey Hinderstein, vice president for studies at the Carnegie Endowment; Ambassador Laura Holgate, former U.S. representative to the IAEA and other international organizations in Vienna; Andrew Weber, former assistant secretary of defense for nuclear, chemical, and biological defense programs; and members of the expert  community. David E. Hoffman, journalist and author of The Dead Hand, moderated the discussion.

In his remarks, Ambassador Ilyassov underscored the historic significance of Kazakhstan’s decision to close the Semipalatinsk Nuclear Test Site and subsequently relinquish the world’s fourth-largest nuclear arsenal. He noted that this decision laid the foundation for Kazakhstan’s longstanding commitment to nuclear disarmament, nonproliferation, and international security.

The discussion highlighted the longstanding partnership between Kazakhstan and the United States under the Nunn-Lugar Cooperative Threat Reduction Program. Through their joint efforts, the two countries implemented a broad range of measures to address the legacy of the former Soviet nuclear program, secure nuclear materials, and reduce proliferation risks.

Project Sapphire, carried out jointly by Kazakhstan and the United States in 1994, was cited as one of the most successful examples of bilateral cooperation in this field. Ambassador Ilyassov emphasized that the operation’s success was made possible by political will, mutual trust, and close practical cooperation between the two countries and encouraged the U.S. Congress to adopt a bipartisan resolution commemorating the 35th anniversary of the closure of the Semipalatinsk Nuclear Test Site.

Participants highlighted Kazakhstan’s leadership in nuclear disarmament and nonproliferation. They noted that the closure of the Semipalatinsk Nuclear Test Site, the voluntary relinquishment of the country’s nuclear arsenal, and Kazakhstan’s subsequent international engagement represent one of the most significant examples of practical action to reduce nuclear threats.

The speakers also commended Kazakhstan’s consistent contribution to strengthening the global nonproliferation regime, including its support for the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons and the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty, its hosting of the IAEA Low Enriched Uranium Bank, and its efforts to promote international dialogue on nuclear security.

Special attention was given to the Treaty on a Nuclear-Weapon-Free Zone in Central Asia, signed in Semipalatinsk 20 years ago. Participants underscored the Treaty’s important contribution to regional stability and the global nuclear nonproliferation regime.

The discussion also addressed current challenges in nuclear disarmament, arms control, and nonproliferation, as well as the implications of emerging technologies for international security. Participants noted that Kazakhstan’s experience remains highly relevant today, demonstrating the importance of international cooperation, confidence-building measures, and responsible approaches to reducing nuclear risks.

The event concluded with a Q&A session involving members of the expert community.

Source : https://www.gov.kz/memleket/entities/mfa-washington/press/news/details/1294731?lang=ru