President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev signed a decree on Tuesday to create a new state agency for atomic energy, marking a key step in Kazakhstan’s plan to build its first nuclear power plant.
The agency, which will be directly subordinate to the president, is intended to consolidate functions currently handled by the Kazakh Energy Ministry related to subsoil use, including uranium mining, the utilization of atomic energy, ensuring public safety from radiation, and the development and operation of the Semipalatinsk nuclear safety zone.
The decree, published on the presidential press service website Akorda, also announced the appointment of Almassadam Satkaliyev as the agency’s head.
Satkaliyev, who previously served as Kazakhstan’s energy minister from April 2023, is expected to steer the agency as part of a broader strategy to modernize the nation’s energy sector.
President Tokayev first introduced the initiative during an address to the National Kurultai on March 14, emphasizing that the move is not merely about meeting current energy needs but is a strategic investment in the country’s economic future.
“It is strategically important for us to create a new energy industry that will provide a solid foundation for dynamic economic development for decades to come,” Tokayev said.
He further outlined plans to eventually build not one, but three nuclear power plants to form a comprehensive nuclear cluster.
The agency’s establishment follows a national referendum held in October 2024, in which approximately 71% of Kazakh citizens voted in favor of constructing the country’s first nuclear power plant.
While the decision was hailed by supporters as a forward-looking move for energy independence and economic growth, critics have raised concerns about the project’s implications, particularly given the legacy of the Semipalatinsk nuclear test site, which was used for over 450 tests during the Soviet era and left a lasting impact on public perception.
The new agency is expected to play a pivotal role in overseeing the safe and sustainable development of nuclear energy in Kazakhstan, aligning with the country’s long-term goals for technological advancement and economic diversification under President Tokayev’s administration.
U.S. President Donald Trump said a preliminary agreement to end the war in the Gulf has been signed by the U.S. and Iran, though details have yet to b...
More than 8,300 participants from 100 countries have gathered in Uzbekistan's capital for the fifth Tashkent International Investment Forum (TIIF-2026...
Seven people have been arrested in Italy over suspected sabotage attacks on high-speed railway lines during the Winter Olympics earlier this year....
Pakistan's heavy reliance on imported energy was laid bare by the U.S.-Iran conflict, which disrupted regional supplies, drove up costs and exposed vu...
Following Armenia’s parliamentary vote, AnewZ spoke to people in Yerevan about the mood in the capital, relations with Azerbaijan and the country’...
Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan’s special forces held a high-level meeting aimed at boosting military cooperation and sharing battlefield experience.
Russia and Kazakhstan have signed a formal agreement to move forward with the construction of a nuclear power plant in Kazakhstan, marking a key step in their energy cooperation.
Kazakhstan has named China’s CNNC as a strategic partner in its nuclear power expansion plans, signaling deeper energy cooperation between the two countries.
President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev highlighted the strong Kazakh-Finnish partnership and expressed willingness to deepen ties, while the OSCE Chairperson praised Kazakhstan's growing regional influence and cooperation.
Details of a reported draft memorandum of understanding between the United States and Iran offer the clearest picture yet of how both sides plan to end months of conflict and move towards a longer-term settlement.
A senior U.S. official said on Monday that the memorandum of understanding linked to the U.S.-Iran agreement had been signed by President Donald Trump, Vice President JD Vance and Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has told U.S. President Donald Trump that Israel does not consider itself bound by a Lebanon-related provision in an emerging agreement with Iran, according to Israeli officials.
A strong 6.7-magnitude earthquake struck Indonesia's Sulawesi island early Tuesday, killing at least one person and injuring four, according to emergency authorities.
U.S. President Donald Trump said a preliminary agreement to end the war in the Gulf has been signed by the U.S. and Iran, though details have yet to be made public and both countries said a permanent truce is yet to be negotiated.
More than 8,300 participants from 100 countries have gathered in Uzbekistan's capital for the fifth Tashkent International Investment Forum (TIIF-2026), bringing together investors, policymakers and business leaders from around the world.
Following Armenia’s parliamentary vote, AnewZ spoke to people in Yerevan about the mood in the capital, relations with Azerbaijan and the country’s future. The full vox-pop report premieres on Tuesday (16 June) at 22:30 AZT / 20:30 CET.
France has continued activities that undermine the Azerbaijan-Armenia peace process, including espionage and information campaigns targeting Baku, according to Azerbaijan’s State Commission Against Foreign Interference and Hybrid Threats.
QatarEnergy is prepared to rapidly restore liquefied natural gas (LNG) production at its Ras Laffan complex once shipping routes through the Strait of Hormuz return to normal, according to a source familiar with the matter.
Israel has formally assumed planning and construction powers at one of the most sensitive religious sites in the occupied West Bank, ending an arrangement that had been in place for nearly three decades.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment