Uzbekistan Turns to Washington for Nuclear Oversight

The agreement, finalized on the sidelines of the International Atomic Energy Agency general conference, targets the establishment of robust regulatory guidelines, disaster response protocols, and long-term training programs. Uzbekistan’s Committee on Industrial, Radiation and Nuclear Safety confirmed the deal, emphasizing a new framework for information exchange that aims to secure the peaceful operation of its future reactors. Curiously, parallel talks between Uzbek and Russian nuclear authorities during the same event yielded no formal agreements.

This shift reflects growing regional anxiety regarding the reliability of Rosatom, the Russian state-controlled entity tasked with building the plant. The project, which includes two large-scale reactors and two small modular units, has been plagued by persistent delays and mounting questions surrounding the developer's financial stability. In an effort to regain control, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev recently announced the formation of an international consortium to oversee construction and tighten technical management, signaling a clear move to diversify the project's governance away from a sole reliance on Russian expertise.