Astana hosts International Anti-Nuclear Forum

    A big international forum devoted to nuclear weapons has been staged in Astana.
    Nursultan Nazarbayev urged the international community to develop a new global anti-nuclear movement.
    The UN, the United States, the International Atomic Energy Agency and the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organization have already spoken in favor of Kazakh leader’s initiative.
    There were several questions as to why other countries cannot close their nuclear test sites if Kazakhstan did so and was able to give up one of the world’s largest nuclear arsenals.
    Daniel Poneman, deputy US secretary of energy, read President Obama’s message that said he greeted all the participants in the Nuclear-Free World Forum and highly appreciated the Kazakhstan and Nursultan Nazarbayev’s historical decision to close the Semipalatinsk Nuclear Test Site, which laid the foundation for a further ban on nuclear testing and, most importantly, it gave us a chance for a nuclear-free future.
    The US president noted that Nursultan Nazarbayev chose the path to peace. He added that Kazakhstan has been a leader in nuclear safety. Daniel Poneman added that Barack Obama fully supports the country’s vision and initiatives.
    According to Yukiya Amano, the IAEA general director, Astana is the best place for this conference since under the leadership of Nursultan Nazarbayev, Kazakhstan closed the Semipalatinsk Test Site, renounced its nuclear arsenal, and established a nuclear-free zone in Central Asia. All this became a precedent for the entire world, and he said he believes this conference will make an important contribution to building a nuclear-free world.
    Tibor Toth, executive secretary of the Preparatory Commission for the CTBTO, expressed his gratitude to Nursultan Nazarbayev and said Kazakhstan’s rare experience should be an inspiration for others.
    He continued by saying that Kazakhstan has proven that a nuclear-free world could become a reality, but this requires wise leadership. Mr. Toth also noted that Kazakhstan and Nursultan Nazarbayev have offered a clear solution on how to implement the concept of global nuclear disarmament.
    US Congressman Eni Faleomavaega said that 20 years ago, Nursultan Nazarbayev made a decision that changed the course of the nation’s development as well as that of the entire world.
    He encouraged the Nobel Committee to praise the Kazakh leader’s contribution to the global nuclear disarmament cause and said he fully shares the Kazakh president’s vision.
    According to the Congressman, if Kazakhstan was able to give up its nuclear arsenal, so can others.
    The UN Secretary-General also sent a video message to the international forum for a nuclear-free world in Astana.
    UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon said in his message that this meeting is yet another example of President Nazarbayev’s leadership in global nuclear disarmament. He noted that he would never forget his trip to Semipalatinsk and thanks to Kazakh president’s courageous decision, Semipalatinsk has become a symbol of hope.
    This meeting and the president’s initiatives are critical for global nuclear disarmament so the UN Secretary General fully supports them.
    Nursultan Nazarbayev encouraged the world to abandon nuclear weapons, but not the atom for peace.
    The Kazakh leader said that there is no more reliable and long-term source of high energy. However, the president stressed that it should be developed under strict control. He reminded the forum attendees of Kazakhstan’s readiness to become a depository of the international nuclear fuel bank.
    The IAEA Director General seconded this initiative, according to Caspionet.