Kazakhstan and France are stepping up cooperation in the nuclear energy sector as Astana advances plans to build a nuclear power plant and develop a new generation of industry specialists.

The issue was discussed during a meeting between Almasadam Satkaliyev, Chairman of Kazakhstan’s Agency for Atomic Energy, and French Ambassador to Kazakhstan Sylvain Guiguet, The Caspian Post reports via Kazinform.

The talks focused on expanding collaboration in the peaceful use of nuclear energy, workforce training, and the potential involvement of French companies in Kazakhstan’s future nuclear projects.

A key topic was the growing partnership between Kazakhstan and French energy giant EDF. Officials highlighted the April 2026 meeting between Kazakhstan’s President and EDF Chairman and CEO Bernard Fontana, describing it as an important signal of mutual interest in deeper nuclear cooperation.

According to the Agency for Atomic Energy, Kazakhstan views EDF and other French firms as leading candidates to participate in the construction of the country’s planned nuclear power plant, one of the most significant infrastructure projects in its modern history.

The two sides also emphasized the importance of developing highly qualified personnel for the nuclear sector. Positive results were noted from a joint workshop organized by Kazakhstan’s Institute of Nuclear Physics and France’s Institut Laue-Langevin in late May.

One of the workshop’s major achievements was the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between Kazakhstan’s Agency for Atomic Energy and the International Institute of Nuclear Energy (I2EN). The agreement aims to support specialist training, educational program development, knowledge exchange, and the creation of a sustainable talent pipeline for Kazakhstan’s growing nuclear industry.