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

The accord, which brought together Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan, enshrines the voluntary commitment of these States not to develop, acquire, test or deploy nuclear weapons.

“Nuclear-weapon-free zones (NWFZs) are not only historical 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 UN Office for Disarmament Affairs (UNODA).

Nations bound together

He notes that the Central Asian zone stands as an example of effective regional cooperation, bringing the five countries under a legally binding commitment.

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

First Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan Yerzhan Ashikbayev, who is leading the country’s delegation at the 2026 review conference of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, also believes that its significance extends far beyond the region.

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

According to the diplomat, the creation of the zone reflects a shared commitment by the countries of the region to strengthen peace, stability and security, and to overcome the legacy of nuclear testing.

Commitments questioned

Today, amid growing geopolitical tensions, some experts question the durability of such agreements. However, Mr. Ashikbayev disagrees. “On the contrary, in such critical periods the zone demonstrates that its existence is a positive factor,” he argues. Kazakhstan, he added, remains committed to multilateral diplomacy, with the further development of the zone forming part of that policy.

The Central Asian experience is drawing interest in other regions of the world but, as Ashikbayev pointed out, the establishment of such zones must be a sovereign decision of the States concerned. 

At the same time, the legacy of the nuclear past continues to be felt today, particularly around the former Semipalatinsk test site, but rehabilitation programmes are under way.

A modern oncology centre has been established, and parts of previously restricted territories are, following a thorough assessment, gradually being returned to economic use.