A scientific and practical conference titled “Nuclear Disarmament and the Modern World” was held at Kh. Dosmukhamedov Atyrau University to mark the 90th anniversary of Olzhas Suleimenov - Hero of Labour of Kazakhstan, People’s Writer, statesman, poet, and leader of the Nevada-Semey movement - as well as the 35th anniversary of the closure of the Semey Nuclear Test Site.
Opening the conference, Murat Oteshov, Chairman of the Atyrau Regional Council of Veterans, spoke about the history of nuclear testing conducted on the territory of Kazakhstan and its devastating consequences for the population.
During the event, Associate Professor and Candidate of Historical Sciences Zhan Kosherbayev from Al-Farabi Kazakh National University delivered an online presentation titled “From the Semey Test Site to Global Anti-Nuclear Diplomacy: Kazakhstan’s Role in Strengthening the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Regime.” He emphasized that Kazakhstan’s peaceful initiatives have received high international recognition. Candidate of Philological Sciences Kairat Zhanabay also spoke extensively about Olzhas Suleimenov’s ideas and spiritual legacy devoted to the progress of human civilization.
The conference also addressed the issue of the Taisoygan test site. Amangeldi Abdoldov, representative of the Human Rights Protection Center under the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan in the Atyrau region, presented a report on the environmental impact of the Taisoygan test site. In addition, Murat Bektenov - member of the Unions of Writers and Journalists of Kazakhstan and veteran of the Semey Nuclear Test Site - shared meaningful insights on the role of the Nevada-Semey movement in the international struggle against nuclear explosions.
Professor and environmental scientist Makhambet Jeksenov analyzed the past and present ecological conditions of the Semey and Azgyr nuclear test sites and provided a scientific assessment of the consequences of the nuclear legacy. Baktygerey Seithanov, Chairman of the Veterans’ Council of the Suyindik rural district, also shared his views on the Azgyr test site.
As part of the event, Professor and Doctor of Historical Sciences Saipulla Sapanov of Khalel Dosmukhamedov Atyrau University spoke about Olzhas Suleimenov’s historic role in closing the Semey test site and highlighted his position as an intellectual and public figure. Bilim Karshyga, Chairman of the Atyrau Regional Public Association of Veterans of the Semey Nuclear Test Site, informed participants about the organization’s current activities and efforts to support veterans.
At the end of the conference, participants once again emphasized the harmful effects of nuclear testing on human health and the environment and stressed the importance of initiatives aimed at building a peaceful and nuclear-free world. The event concluded with an exchange of opinions and a commemorative group photo.