PR99072

NUR-SULTAN, Kazakhstan, Dec. 1, 2022 /PRNewswire=KYODO JBN/ --

On November 29, 2022, meeting of Global Alliance of Leaders for Nuclear

Security and Nuclear-Weapon-Free World (GAL), which unites political leaders,

diplomats, experts, Nobel peace prize laureates, heads of international NGOs

from 45 countries, was held at Dialogue of Continents forum in Paris.

The participants discussed challenges over the war in Ukraine during session

"How to avoid nuclear war?".

In her speech, Angela Kane, former UN Deputy Secretary-General, stressed that

nuclear escalation became possible scenario in current geopolitical crisis.

"There are currently two risks. First is destruction of Zaporizhzhia nuclear

power plant resulting in a nuclear catastrophe. Second scenario is possibility

of using nuclear weapons. This conflict upended all progress that remained for

past 60 years in arms control field," - stressed the expert.

In turn, Urban Rusnak, former Secretary-General of Energy Charter, Ambassador,

Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Slovak Republic, noted that in light of recent

international events, steps taken by Kazakhstan on voluntary denuclearization

are of particular value.

"Situation in Ukraine, which, like Kazakhstan, had nuclear potential and went

through denuclearization, is of particular concern. Until recently, it was

difficult to imagine that nuclear infrastructure facilities could become

targets for attacks," - stressed the speaker.

Ariel Cohen, Senior Fellow, Atlantic Council, Director of Energy and Security

Program (ITIC), focused audience's attention on consequences of incidents

involving nuclear reactors in a warzone.

"If Zaporizhzhia nuclear reactor security is compromised, that will raise

catastrophic consequences not just for Ukraine, but for nuclear security in

general. International mechanism to ensure security of nuclear power reactors

is broken," - summed up the expert.

Summing up the session, Kairat Abuseitov, a well-known Kazakhstani diplomat,

from Nursultan Nazarbayev Foundation, noted that Kazakhstan has a unique

example of voluntary denuclearization.

"The country possessed world's fourth largest nuclear arsenal (in 1991).

Kazakshtan had the right to be nuclear-weapon-state. But chose a different

path," - concluded the speaker.

In conclusion, participants agreed that lack of political will to resolve

issues of nuclear non-proliferation is fraught with further escalation, and

importance of dialogue platforms which could restore lost mutual trust between

nuclear states is important as never before.  

GAL meeting was held during an official visit of the President of the Republic

of Kazakhstan Kassym-Zhomart Tokayev to France. Kazakhstan, which produces 42%

of world's uranium, actively develop cooperation with France and EU in the

field of peaceful atom and nuclear nonproliferation.

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Source:  Global Alliance of Leaders