International Cooperation



One of the main directions in the Agency's activities is coordination with international organizations. The Agency for Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear Safety (CBRN Safety Agency) under the National Academy of Sciences of Tajikistan (NAS RT) maintains close cooperation with a number of international organizations, including:

Cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA):

The Agency's cooperation with the IAEA covers several important areas:

Ensuring nuclear and radiation safety: The Agency acts as the national coordinator for the IAEA in Tajikistan, implementing joint projects to ensure radiation safety and prevent nuclear threats.

Cancer diagnosis and treatment: Through projects TAD6007 and TAD6008, the IAEA has provided the Republican Scientific Cancer Center with modern diagnostic equipment (such as CT scanners, ultrasound devices, and radiotherapy machines). This equipment, commissioned in coordination with the Agency, supports early cancer detection.

Glacier protection: Within the national project TAD7004, the Agency cooperates with the IAEA to study glaciers under climate change conditions.

Specialist training: The IAEA supports training of Tajik specialists, especially in oncology and nuclear technologies, aimed at strengthening Tajikistan's scientific capacity.

Participation in international events: Agency representatives participate in IAEA international conferences, meetings, and symposia on safety and nuclear security, discussing cooperation issues and exchanging experience.

Regional center: The CBRN Safety, Security, and Safeguards Center in Dushanbe, supported by the IAEA, is recognized as a regional cooperation center for Central Asia, reflecting Tajikistan's prestige in this field.

Overall, cooperation with this prominent international organization helps raise Tajikistan’s status in nuclear and radiation safety on the international stage.

A project on developing technological foundations for processing uranium industry waste in Tajikistan aims to develop principal and technological schemes for processing uranium industry waste to obtain uranium oxide (U3O8).

The project fosters engagement of scientists involved in preparing materials for military-technical products to solve issues related to the development of technologies for processing mineral raw materials and industrial waste. It focuses on studying the physical and chemical processes of processing uranium industry waste in Tajikistan.

Cooperation with the Russian Federation and other CIS countries:

The Agency maintains close cooperation with the Russian Federation and CIS countries in the peaceful use of atomic energy in the following areas:

The “ATOM-CIS” Program and rehabilitation of uranium waste: The Agency actively participates in the framework cooperation program with CIS countries focused on peaceful use of atomic energy, with one important direction being the rehabilitation of uranium industry waste in northern Tajikistan. The Agency contributes significantly to the interstate program “Rehabilitation of territories affected by the uranium industry.”

Specialist training: Young Tajik specialists receive training at Russian universities and scientific centers such as the Moscow Engineering Physics Institute (MEPhI) and the N.N. Blokhin Cancer Research Center, improving professional qualifications in atomic energy, radiation physics, and radiation medicine. Participation in international forums “FORSAGE” and internet schools organized by ROSATOM and MEPhI allows scientists, graduate students, and young specialists to enhance their skills. More than 18 young Agency specialists have successfully graduated from the A.D. Sakharov International Environmental University (Minsk, Belarus).

Development of regulatory documents: The Agency closely cooperates with the IAEA and regulatory authorities of CIS countries in developing and harmonizing regulatory documents in line with international standards.

Cooperation with Russia, Belarus, and other CIS countries helps improve professional skills, strengthen radiation safety, and harmonize international standards.

Cooperation with the United States:

Nuclear Regulatory Commission: Two projects have been implemented — introducing amendments to Tajikistan’s legislation on nuclear and radiation safety to improve and harmonize it with international IAEA standards; and registering all sources of ionizing radiation and radioactive materials across Tajikistan to gather comprehensive data. The Regulatory Authority Software Database (RASOD) was established, containing data from four regions of the country.

Department of Energy: Implemented projects for searching and burial of orphan radioactive sources (sources abandoned outside regulatory control). Over 700 orphan radioactive sources were found across various regions. Physical protection was provided for three facilities storing highly active radioactive waste: the Republican Radioactive Waste Disposal Site, the State Scientific Cancer Center, and the Gamma Laboratory of Tajik National University. These facilities were connected to the Ministry of Internal Affairs security control panel. Several training courses and seminars were held.

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  Cooperation with the European Commission and EU member states:

Cooperation with Norway:

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• Cooperation with the European Commission and EU member states:
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• Project T09 aimed at countering nuclear and radiological terrorism threats supported Tajikistan’s relevant authorities engaged in combating illicit trafficking of nuclear and radioactive materials.
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• Comprehensive assessment and technical-economic justification of the Dehmoy and Taboshar (Istiklol) sites for rehabilitation works.
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• Installation of water treatment facilities to purify uranium-contaminated water at the Istiklol site.
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• A project aimed at strengthening the regulatory authority infrastructure in Tajikistan in managing radioactive waste from previous uranium industry activities. The project focused on developing legislation and regulatory requirements to protect workers, the public, and the environment during planning and handling of radioactive waste.

 

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• A project has been implemented to strengthen the infrastructure of Tajikistan’s regulatory authority in the field of management of radioactive waste from former uranium industry activities. The project focused on developing appropriate legislation and regulatory documents, as well as regulatory requirements to ensure the protection of workers, the public, and the environment during the planning and execution of work involving radioactive waste.
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• Cooperation with the United Kingdom:
   
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• Cooperation with the United Kingdom:
• A project to modernize the Republican Radioactive Waste Disposal Site (RRWDS) by constructing:
• A new building for RTGs (Radioisotope Thermoelectric Generators) and guards (central monitoring panel - CMP);
• A concrete wall around the controlled zone;
• Separate electricity and water supply lines;
• Physical protection elements around the controlled zone (cameras, motion detectors, infrared and microwave sensors, etc.);
• A backup generator for power outages;
• And several other improvements.
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