“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 of the United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs (UNODA).
United Nations
He points out that the Central Asia area is an example of effective regional cooperation, which brings together the five countries under a legally binding commitment.
“Such zones contribute to transparency, confidence-building and risk reduction, and can help maintain a practical bridge between regional security concerns and the global non-proliferation and disarmament architecture,” adds King.
The First Deputy Foreign Minister of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Yerzhan Ashikbayev, who heads the country’s delegation to the 2026 Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty review conference, also believes its importance 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 of the countries in the region to strengthen peace, stability and security, and overcome the legacy of nuclear tests.
Questioned commitments
Paintings by Kazakh artist and activist Karipbek Kuyukov
Today, amid growing geopolitical tensions, some experts question the durability of these agreements. However, Ashikbayev disagrees. “On the contrary, in such critical periods the area demonstrates that its existence is a positive factor,” he argues. Kazakhstan, he added, remains committed to multilateral diplomacy, and the further development of the area is part of that policy.
The Central Asian experience is generating interest in other regions of the world but, as Ashikbayev noted, the establishment of such zones must be a sovereign decision of the States concerned.
At the same time, the legacy of the nuclear past is still felt today, particularly around the former Semipalatinsk test site, but rehabilitation programs are underway.
A modern oncology center has been created and, after extensive evaluation, parts of previously restricted territories are gradually being returned to use.