On 4-6 August 2023, the International Scientific and Practical Conference "Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear Safety and Security: Progress, Challenges & Ways Forward" dedicated to 20th anniversary of establishment of the Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear Safety and Security Agency of the National Academy of Sciences of Tajikistan (СBRN Safety and Security Agency of the NAST) was held in Gulistan, Republic of Tajikistan.

More than one hundred representatives of public and international organizations and a number of experts on this area joined virtually to the Conference. 

The conference was opened by the Director of the CBRN Safety and Security Agency of the National Academy of Sciences of Tajikistan - Dr. Ilhom Mirsaidzoda. He familiarized the participants with the main scientific directions and developments, as well as achievements in their implementation, including work on strengthening the legal framework, conducted by the CBRN Safety and Security Agency during 20 years.

Welcoming speeches were also made by Sergey Katzenelenbogen - representative of AdSTM, USA, Olga German - Scientific Secretary of CGULS, IAEA, Elektra Tsigaridas - representative of European Union, Rati Japaridze - Acting Head of Mission of OSCE Programme Office in Dushanbe, Tamara Zhunussova - representative of Norwegian Radiation Protection Authority, Damir Zaredinov - representative of Ministry of Health of the Republic of Uzbekistan.

The guests, who took the floor, congratulated the staff of CBRN Safety and Security Agency with 20th anniversary and emphasized that cooperation in the field of chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear safety with CBRN Safety and Security Agency of NAST is constantly expanding and strengthening.

The conference was also attended by representatives of cities and villages near which the uranium tailings sites are located: representatives of Adrasman, Goziyon, Istiklol and B. Gafurov district of Sughd region.  

After welcoming remarks and discussion of CBRN Safety and Security Agency's achievements, the work of the conference continued in the format of several sessions:

Section 1 - Chemical and Biological Security; 
Section 2 - Stakeholder Engagement for Uranium Legacy Sites Remediation Projects.

Session 1 of the conference was moderated by Matin Akhmedov, Deputy Director of CBRN Safety and Security Agency of the National Academy of Sciences of Tajikistan. He highlighted the organizational and scientific activities in the field of biosecurity in the Republic of Tajikistan. Alimakhmad Sufiev's report was devoted to the solutions of biological security problems in Tajikistan (on the example of implementation of the Law "On Ensuring Biological Security and Biological Defense"). There was also a report made by the Regional Secretariat of the EU Initiative - Centre of Excellence for CBRN Risk Reduction for Central Asia (Lela Bakanidze).

The session participants expressed their interest on considered issues, as evidenced by the discussions with a large number of questions related to biosecurity, and there was a useful exchange of views.
 

In the work of the 2nd session the following reports were given:

"Stakeholder Engagement for the Remediation of Uranium Legacy Sites in Central Asia. Phase II" - Dmitry Prudskikh - OSCE Project Adviser;

"Raising Awareness and Experience in Sharing Knowledge on Radiation Safety among Local Population in the Republic of Uzbekistan" - Damir Zaredinov - representative of Ministry of Health of the Republic of Uzbekistan;

"National progress in the management of uranium legacy sites of the Republic of Tajikistan" - Bakhtiyor Barotov - Head of the Scientific and Technical Services Department of CBRN Safety and Security Agency of NAST; 

"Work with youth on environmental safety" - Ikrom Mamadov - Chairman of the NGO "Youth Group for Environmental Protection of Tajikistan".
 

It should be noted that this topic was one of the most urgent problems for the population living near the tailing dumps in northern Tajikistan, in connection with which many questions were asked by representatives of Adrasman, Goziyon, Istiklol and B. Gafurov districts of Sughd region. Representatives of CBRN Safety and Security Agency gave comprehensive answers to each question.

Hence, the conference demonstrated the commitment of CBRN Safety and Security Agency of the NAST to the creation of an environmentally clean zone in uranium legacy sites, to the development of international cooperation in this matter using advanced technologies for tailings remediation.

The results of Conference will contribute to the awareness of population living near the tailing facilities, increase their culture on radiation safety issues, which will contribute to the sustainable development of these territories.

The Conference Materials are available at the following link: https://www.cbrn.tj/books/+sbornik_CBRN_Con2023.pdf

Conference website: www.conf.cbrn.tj