Kazakhstan, world marked International Day against Nuclear Tests
Moreover, August 29 is a remarkable day for the international community as well, since it marks the UN designated International Day against Nuclear Tests. Major commemorative events were held on the date in Semey, Astana, Geneva, and The Hague.
An international conference entitled "Ecology, Radiation, Health" was held in Semey -former Semipalatinsk. Scientists, politicians, and civil activists from Kazakhstan, Japan, Russia, and Sweden took part in the event. The idea that August 29 is both a day of sorrow and hope resonated in all speeches. Speakers remembered victims of the tests and praised Kazakhstan's decision to renounce both nuclear weapons and testing, which offered hope for a non-nuclear world in the future, the Kazakh MFA's press service reports.
The same day, the authorities and citizens of Semey organized a ceremonial mass meeting. Activists of the Nevada-Semipalatinsk antinuclear movement as well as other associations participated in the meeting that observed a minute's silence in memory of victims of the testing and laid wreaths on water to mark a national tragedy. Moreover, the city Documentation Centre for Recent History organised a unique exhibition of declassified materials related to the activities of the test site in the period of 1949-89. The Centre also held an exhibition of pictures related to the tragedy of Semipalatinsk that included 39 photographs which had never been presented before.
The International Day against Nuclear Tests was marked with antinuclear events around the world too. In particular, The Hague hosted the Fourth annual international conference "Nuclear Dilemmas: Present and Future" on August 30. Kazakhstan's Secretary of State Kanat Saudabayev headed the national delegation and was the one to open the forum.
"It is quite symbolic that the conference is being held on the 20th anniversary of the closure of the world's largest nuclear test site in Semipalatinsk by presidential decree against the Soviet authorities' will. Since gaining independence Kazakhstan and its leader have been consistent and active supporters of the global process of non-proliferation and the reduction of nuclear weapons," he said.
Commenting on the results of the forum, the Netherlands Minister of Foreign Affairs Uri Rosenthal said that this event, jointly arranged by Kazakhstan and Netherlands, revealed the intense and close relations between the two countries in issues such as nuclear non-proliferation and disarmament. "The Netherlands and Kazakhstan constantly bring the issues of control over nuclear non-proliferation and disarmament to the international agenda," he said.
The Dutch authorities, officials of European political institutions, renowned international experts and diplomats attended the conference, during which they discussed the existing threats and challenges in the nuclear field and the importance of enhancing relevant international bodies in addition to other topics.
Another international conference dedicated to August 29 was held in Geneva at the UN Palais des Nations. In the course of it, all the speakers welcomed Kazakhstan's initiatives on nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation. The UN Deputy Secretary General, Director-General of the UN Office at Geneva Kassym-Zhomart Tokayev delivered his address to the attendees that included representatives of international organization, diplomatic missions, NGOs, and the media.
"I do not think that the presidents of other countries, and especially the presidents of large countries, can boast of the fact that their decisions have resulted in an international day and are marked by the UN. Therefore, this is a historic day," Tokayev said reminding that the UN supported President Nazarbayev's initiative to declare August 29 the International Day against Nuclear Tests.
The organizers of the conference also showed a documentary "Kazakhstan - a country of peace" with chronicles of the creation and closure of the Semipalatinsk nuclear test site.
Events marking August 29 were held in all parts of Kazakhstan as well. On this day, Astana greeted the participants of the bicycle ride organized by the Norwegian organization Bike for Peace and the Kazakhstan authorities to mark the 20th anniversary of Kazakhstan's independence and of shutting down the Semipalatinsk test site, as well as to promote non-proliferation and international peace. The bicycle tour through Kazakhstan started in Semey on August 6. During 24 days, ten Norwegian and six Kazakhstan cyclists travelled half the country, visiting regions like East Kazakhstan, Almaty, Zhambyl, Qaraghandy, and Aqmola. The Astana citizens received the team with warm welcome and gratitude for their gesture.