Astana hosting Building a Nuclear-Weapon-Free World today conference

    Today, August 29, the Palace of Peace and Reconciliation of Astana is hosting the International Conference called - Building a Nuclear-Weapon-Free World. The conference is dedicated to the 25^th anniversary of the closure of the Semipalatinsk Nuclear Testing Site.
    According to the Kazakh Senate, the forum takes place annually on the International Day against Nuclear Tests as per the resolution of the UN General Assembly.
    The forum includes plenary session and four panel sessions.
    Senate Speaker Kassym-Zhomart Tokayev says the 25^th anniversary of the closure of the Semipalatinsk site is a date of global importance.
    "President Nursultan Nazarbayev is the recognized leader of the global anti-nuclear movement. His decision to close the Semipalatinsk Nuclear Testing Site was the first and the last precedent in global disarmament history. The idea of complete nuclear disarmament underlies his Manifesto – The World. The 21^st Century. The anniversary of the closure of the Semipalatinsk Nuclear Testing Site is the best opportunity for the entire world community to consider the paramount importance of establishing sustainable peace on the planet and to propose new common solutions to security problems," Tokayev said.
    Parliamentarians for Nuclear Non-Proliferation and Disarmament (PNDD) is the co-organizer.
    Participants will honor the victims of the nuclear tests and will discuss urgent disarmament and non-proliferation issues. They will also make propositions to ensure international security.
    UN Under-Secretary General, Director General of the UN Office in Geneva, Secretary General of the Disarmament Conference Michael Møller, Executive Secretary of the Preparatory Commission of the Comprehensive Nuclear Test-Ban Treaty Organization Lassina Zerbo, President of the Inter-Parliamentary Union and Co-Chairman of PNND Saber Chowdhury, President of the Pan African Parliament Roger Nkodo Dang, Chairman of the Parliament of the World's Religions Imam Abdul Malik Mujahid, Founder of the Nevada-Semipalatinsk Anti-Nuclear Movement Olzhas Suleimenov along with other prominent officials from international organizations, NGOs, famous religious activists from more than 50 countries have gathered in Astana for the event.
    The event will end with the adoption of a final declaration, Kazinform reports.