Note: Single-source report; awaiting corroboration.
Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan have marked 20 years since establishing a nuclear-weapon-free zone by signing the Semipalatinsk Treaty in 2006. This legally binding accord commits these countries to not develop, acquire, test, or deploy nuclear weapons, reflecting a shared vision of regional peace and stability.
Christopher King, Chief of the Weapons of Mass Destruction Branch at the UN Office for Disarmament Affairs, described nuclear-weapon-free zones, including the Central Asian one, as historical achievements and active tools for regional security, non-proliferation, and risk reduction. He noted that such zones promote transparency, confidence-building, and bridge regional security concerns with global non-proliferation frameworks.
Yerzhan Ashikbayev, First Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan, said the Semipalatinsk Treaty’s contribution to security extends beyond Central Asia. He affirmed Kazakhstan’s commitment to multilateral diplomacy and further development of the zone, arguing the treaty remains a positive security factor amid rising geopolitical tensions.
While some experts question the durability of nuclear-weapon-free agreements in the current global climate, Ashikbayev maintains the treaty’s relevance in critical times. Rehabilitation programs continue near the former Semipalatinsk nuclear test site to address the legacy of past nuclear testing in the region.