BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 23. The International
Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has begun a follow-up mission to assess
Uzbekistan’s nuclear infrastructure, marking another step in the
country’s efforts to develop a civilian nuclear energy program in
line with international standards.


This was reflected in the statement by the Uzatom.


The Integrated Nuclear Infrastructure Review (INIR) Follow-up
Phase 2 mission commenced on June 22 at Uzbekistan’s Atomic Energy
Agency, Uzatom. The review is being conducted at the request of the
Uzbek government and in accordance with IAEA guidelines and
international best practices.


The mission is designed to evaluate progress made since a
previous INIR review in 2021, assess the current state of
Uzbekistan’s nuclear infrastructure, and provide recommendations
for further strengthening governance, regulation, and oversight in
the nuclear sector.


The review team comprises five experts from IAEA member states —
Jordan, Brazil, the Dominican Republic and Türkiye — who have
participated in similar assessments in countries such as Vietnam,
the Philippines, Poland, Estonia and Kazakhstan.


Representatives from various Uzbek ministries and government
agencies are also taking part in the discussions. Uzatom, which
serves as the national body responsible for implementing the
country’s nuclear energy development program, and the Committee for
Industrial, Radiation and Nuclear Safety, the independent
regulator, represented the Uzbek side during the opening
session.







According to officials, participants reviewed progress achieved
since the 2021 mission and discussed key aspects of Uzbekistan’s
nuclear energy program, including national policy, nuclear safety,
governance, and regulatory development.


Uzbek authorities presented information on the country’s Energy
Policy through 2035, ongoing efforts to strengthen the legal and
technical framework for nuclear safety, the activities of
regulatory institutions, and management systems supporting the
national nuclear energy program.


"The mission will continue its work until June 26, 2026. Based
on its findings, the IAEA will prepare a preliminary official
report with specific recommendations for the further development of
the Republic of Uzbekistan’s national nuclear infrastructure." the
Uzatom said.


The review comes as Uzbekistan advances plans to introduce
nuclear energy into its electricity mix as part of broader efforts
to enhance energy security, diversify generation sources, and meet
growing domestic demand for power.