Kazakhstan warns world against nuclear tests as 1.5 million bear Semipalatinsk scars
NAIROBI, Kenya, Sep 2— Kazakhstan has warned the world against repeating the devastation of nuclear testing, drawing on the experience of its Semipalatinsk test site where 456 nuclear tests exposed…
Kazakhstan has issued a stark warning to the global community against repeating the devastation caused by nuclear testing, drawing from the experiences of its Semipalatinsk test site, where an estimated 1.5 million individuals were exposed to high radiation levels due to 456 nuclear explosions. Speaking at a UN meeting to commemorate the International Day against Nuclear Tests, Kazakhstan's Ambassador to Kenya and Permanent Representative to the UN Office at Nairobi, Barlybay Sadykov, highlighted the enduring humanitarian and environmental impacts of nuclear explosions.
The Semipalatinsk test site, once one of the world’s largest nuclear testing grounds, ceased operations on August 29, 1991, after four decades of testing. Sadykov emphasized that behind each number of explosions lie people, families, and communities who suffered from nuclear tests. Over 30 atmospheric, 86 above-ground, and 340 underground explosions were conducted, covering approximately 18,000 square kilometers.
Kazakhstan's experience has shaped its dedication to nuclear disarmament, non-proliferation, and the prohibition of nuclear testing. The ambassador stressed that the consequences have persisted across generations, leading to increased health issues, congenital birth defects, and long-term psychological and social effects among affected communities.
Environmental damage remains a concern, as radioactive contamination persists in soil, necessitating long-term monitoring. Sadykov called for an end to the repetition of such tragedies, urging states to bolster international efforts to prevent further nuclear testing and advance nuclear disarmament. Kazakhstan’s commitment to a nuclear-free world stems from its decision to close Semipalatinsk and renounce its fourth-largest nuclear arsenal, a move heralded as a historic choice for peace, security, and future generations by President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev.
Kazakhstan continues to collaborate on nuclear safety, physical protection of nuclear materials, and peaceful uses of nuclear energy, both within the Central Asian Nuclear-Weapon-Free Zone and beyond.
Written by urgent.news from Capital FM Kenya's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
