The foreign ministers of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan have issued a joint statement marking the 20th anniversary of the signing of the Treaty on a Nuclear-Weapon-Free Zone in Central Asia, Kazakhstan’s Foreign Ministry said.
The five countries called for faster progress on nuclear disarmament, the development of new arms control mechanisms and efforts to prevent a new nuclear arms race.
The treaty was signed in Semipalatinsk on September 8, 2006. Its parties reaffirmed their commitment to a world free of nuclear weapons and recalled the catastrophic humanitarian consequences of their use and testing.
The foreign ministers stressed that nuclear-weapon-free zones remain an important instrument for preventing nuclear proliferation and advancing global disarmament.
The statement also highlighted the role of the Treaty on Friendship, Good-Neighbourliness and Cooperation for the Development of Central Asia in the 21st Century. The ministers recalled that Uzbekistan first proposed the creation of a nuclear-weapon-free zone in Central Asia in September 1993 at the 48th session of the UN General Assembly.
The authors of the statement described the establishment of the zone as a successful example of Central Asian states joining forces. They said it had strengthened the nuclear non-proliferation regime, regional and international security, as well as cooperation on the peaceful use of nuclear energy and the rehabilitation of areas affected by radioactive contamination.
The document also marked the 35th anniversary of the closure of the Semipalatinsk nuclear test site and the 30th anniversary of the opening for signature of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty. The ministers paid tribute to the victims of nuclear explosions and their consequences.
The joint statement included the following points:
Central Asian States Reaffirm Commitment to Semipalatinsk Treaty
Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan reaffirmed their commitment to the Treaty on a Nuclear-Weapon-Free Zone in Central Asia, signed in Semipalatinsk on September 8, 2006.
The statement said the treaty was the result of joint efforts by the five countries to promote security, stability and peace in the region.
The Central Asian Nuclear-Weapon-Free Zone remains the first and only such zone located entirely in the Northern Hemisphere and directly bordering two nuclear-weapon states.
The foreign ministers said the treaty continued to play an important role in strengthening the global disarmament and non-proliferation regime. Central Asia, once a region where nuclear weapons were tested and deployed, has become one of the leaders of global efforts towards nuclear disarmament.
Foreign Ministers Reaffirm Central Role of NPT
The five countries described the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) as the cornerstone of international efforts to prevent the spread of nuclear weapons and achieve their complete elimination.
The ministers expressed regret that the 11th Review Conference of the Parties to the NPT ended without the adoption of a substantive final document. They said this reflected continuing divisions and a lack of trust in the fields of nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation.
The Central Asian states called on NPT parties to continue negotiations in good faith and fulfil their commitments across all three pillars of the treaty: nuclear disarmament, non-proliferation and the peaceful use of nuclear energy.
Central Asian States Call for Action to Prevent New Nuclear Arms Race
The ministers expressed serious concern over the lack of substantial progress on nuclear disarmament in accordance with Article VI of the NPT.
The statement also drew attention to the termination of key arms control agreements and the modernisation of nuclear arsenals.
The foreign ministers stressed the particular responsibility of nuclear-weapon states and called on them to engage in disarmament negotiations.
The Central Asian countries also called for the urgent development of new, verifiable arms control mechanisms to prevent a nuclear arms race.
Central Asian States Back IAEA Work
The foreign ministers reaffirmed their support for the work of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in implementing the provisions of the NPT.
This includes cooperation on the peaceful use of nuclear energy, the application of safeguards and the monitoring of the nuclear programmes of IAEA member states.
Ministers Call for Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty to Enter into Force
The Central Asian states called for the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT) to enter into force as soon as possible. September 24, 2026, marks 30 years since the treaty was opened for signature.
The ministers stressed the need to preserve and strengthen the international prohibition on nuclear testing and called on states to refrain from actions that could undermine it.
The statement also placed particular emphasis on disarmament and non-proliferation education, as well as greater youth involvement in discussions on international security.
The countries expressed support for further promoting the International Day for Disarmament and Non-Proliferation Awareness, established at the initiative of Kyrgyzstan. It is observed annually on March 5, the anniversary of the NPT’s entry into force.
The ministers also highlighted the continued relevance of the recommendations contained in the UN study on disarmament and non-proliferation education and the UN Secretary-General’s agenda, “Securing Our Common Future: An Agenda for Disarmament”.
United States Urged to Complete Ratification of Treaty Protocol
The foreign ministers welcomed the signing on May 6, 2014, by nuclear-weapon states of the Protocol on negative security assurances to the Treaty on a Nuclear-Weapon-Free Zone in Central Asia.
The protocol has so far been ratified by four nuclear-weapon states.
The Central Asian countries expressed hope that the United States would complete its ratification process in the near future.
Central Asia Seeks Closer Cooperation with Other Nuclear-Weapon-Free Zones
The five countries expressed interest in further institutional development of the Central Asian Nuclear-Weapon-Free Zone Treaty and in expanding partnerships with other nuclear-weapon-free zones.
They said such cooperation was aimed at strengthening the global nuclear non-proliferation regime and bringing together international efforts to promote peace and security.
The statement welcomed the signing of memorandums of understanding with the African Commission on Nuclear Energy (AFCONE) and the Agency for the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons in Latin America and the Caribbean (OPANAL).
It also noted the second meeting of representatives of all existing nuclear-weapon-free zones, held in Astana on August 28-29, 2024, under Kazakhstan’s chairmanship.
Five States Pledge Continued Cooperation on Security Threats
The ministers described stronger regional security as one of the key conditions for the sustainable development and stability of Central Asia.
The five countries reaffirmed their intention to continue close cooperation in addressing common challenges and threats.
Central Asian States Back Creation of New Nuclear-Weapon-Free Zones
Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan expressed support for establishing new nuclear-weapon-free zones in regions where none currently exist.
The statement specifically referred to the possibility of establishing such a zone in the Middle East.
Foreign Ministers Highlight UN Resolution and Ashgabat Meeting
The ministers welcomed the adoption at the 79th session of the UN General Assembly of the resolution entitled “Treaty on a Nuclear-Weapon-Free Zone in Central Asia”.
They also highlighted the anniversary meeting of the states parties to the treaty, held in Ashgabat on December 5, 2024, under Turkmenistan’s chairmanship. The meeting was attended by representatives of other existing nuclear-weapon-free zones and international organisations.
