Central Asia celebrates 20 years as a nuclear weapons-free zone

The treaty, which brings together Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan, enshrines the countries’ voluntary commitment not to develop, acquire, test or deploy nuclear weapons.

“A nuclear weapons-free zone (NWFZ) is not only a historical achievement but also a living instrument of regional security, non-proliferation and nuclear risk reduction,” said Christopher King, Head of the Weapons of Mass Destruction Branch at the UN Office of Disarmament Affairs (UNODA).

Nations are bound together as one

He noted that the Central Asian zone is an example of effective regional cooperation, bringing the five countries under legally binding commitments.

“Such zones contribute to transparency, confidence building and risk reduction, and they can help maintain a practical bridge between regional security concerns and the global non-proliferation and disarmament architecture,” added Mr.

First Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan Yerzhan Ashikbayev, who led the country’s delegation to the 2026 review conference of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, also believes that the significance of this agreement goes far beyond the region.

“The contribution of the Treaty of Semipalatinsk in ensuring security not only in Central Asia but also beyond its borders is undeniable,” he said.

According to the diplomat, the creation of the zone reflects the shared commitment of countries in the region to strengthen peace, stability and security, as well as to overcome the legacy of nuclear tests.

Commitment is questionable

Today, amid rising geopolitical tensions, some experts question the durability of the agreement. However, Ashikbayev disagrees. “On the contrary, in a critical period like this, the zone shows that its existence is a positive factor,” he said. Kazakhstan, he added, remains committed to multilateral diplomacy, and further development of the zone is part of that policy.

The experience in Central Asia has attracted the attention of other regions of the world, however, as Ashikbayev said, the creation of these zones must be a sovereign decision of the countries concerned.

At the same time, the legacy of the nuclear past is still felt today, especially around the former Semipalatinsk test site, but rehabilitation programs are still ongoing.

A modern oncology center has been established, and parts of the previously restricted territory, after a thorough assessment, are gradually being returned to economic use.