CSTO States declare commitment to efforts in non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction

The joint statement of the Collective Security Treaty Organization Member States on the 30th anniversary of the closedown of the Semipalatinsk nuclear test site is posted on the website of the Collective Security Treaty Organization.
“August 29, 2021 marks the 30th anniversary of the closure of the Semipalatinsk nuclear test site by decree of Nursultan Nazarbayev, first President of the Republic of Kazakhstan. The closure of the test site in 1991 was an important milestone in the promotion of the idea of a universal ban on nuclear testing.
In view of this important event, the UN General Assembly declared August 29 as the International Day against Nuclear Tests.
The CSTO Member States reaffirm their commitment to maintaining peace and security and emphasize the contribution of Kazakhstan, which has renounced the possession of nuclear weapons, in strengthening the nuclear non-proliferation regime and maintaining international security and stability.
Since the closing of the Semipalatinsk test site, Kazakhstan has made significant efforts to rehabilitate its territory and the surrounding area and to ensure radiation safety and environmental rehabilitation. Since 2004, the Russian Federation, the United States of America and the Republic of Kazakhstan have implemented a number of joint projects on the territory of the site, making a significant contribution to eliminating the proliferation threat and improving security.
Site’s closure provided an important impetus to international efforts towards a worldwide moratorium on nuclear testing and the establishment of a nuclear-weapon-free zone in Central Asia in 2006.
The CSTO Member States support the UN General Assembly resolution adopted in December 2020 titled International Cooperation and Coordination for the Human and Ecological Rehabilitation and Economic Development of the Semipalatinsk Region of Kazakhstan.
They recognize that the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT) is an integral element of the nuclear non-proliferation regime. They note that moratoria on nuclear tests imposed by nuclear powers are an important part of international efforts to prevent the resumption of nuclear tests, but they cannot replace legally binding obligations arising from full participation in the CTBT. The CSTO Member States are therefore in favour of the Treaty’s early entry into force that requires the accession of the eight remaining Annex 2 countries to the CTBT.
The CSTO Member States declare their firm commitment to nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction based on strict observance of international law.”
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