The agreement, which brought together Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan, establishes a voluntary commitment of these states not to develop, acquire, test or deploy nuclear weapons.
“Nuclear-weapon-free zones (NWFZs) are not only historic achievements, but also living instruments of regional security, non-proliferation and nuclear risk reduction,” says Christopher King, Chief of the Weapons of Mass Destruction Branch at the United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs (UNODA).
nations bound together
He said the Central Asian region is an example of effective regional cooperation, bringing the five countries under a legally binding commitment.
“Such areas 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,” Mr King says.
Yerzhan Ashikbayev, First Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan, who is leading the country’s delegation to the 2026 Review Conference of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, also believes its importance extends far beyond the region.
He says, “The contribution of the Semipalatinsk Treaty in ensuring security not only in Central Asia but also beyond its borders is undeniable.”
According to the diplomat, the creation of the zone reflects the shared commitment of the countries in the region to strengthen peace, stability and security and to address the legacy of nuclear testing.
Commitments questioned
Painting by Kazakhstani artist and activist Karipbek Kuyukov
Today, amid rising geopolitical tensions, some experts question the sustainability of such agreements. However, Mr Ashikbayev disagrees. “On the contrary, the sector at such a critical time shows that its existence is a positive factor,” he argues. Kazakhstan is committed to multilateral diplomacy, he said, and further development of the region is part of that policy.
The Central Asian experience is generating interest in other regions of the world, but, as Ashikbayev pointed out, the establishment of such regions should be a sovereign decision of the states concerned.
Also, the legacy of the nuclear past is still felt today, particularly around the former Semipalatinsk test site, but rehabilitation programs are ongoing.
A modern oncology center has been established, and parts of previously restricted areas, after thorough assessment, are gradually being returned to economic use.
