Uzbekistan to Join International Agreement on Nuclear Liability

Uzbekistan is poised to join the 1963 Vienna Convention on Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage after the Senate approved the measure during its eighth plenary session. According to the Senate press service, lawmakers reviewed and passed the legislation confirming the country’s accession to the international treaty.

By joining the convention, Uzbekistan will adopt globally recognized legal standards for managing nuclear incidents, The Caspian Post reports citing The Times of Central Asia.

The treaty establishes a framework for liability in the event of nuclear accidents and sets out rules for compensating damages. It also mandates that nuclear facility operators provide financial guarantees to cover potential claims.

Senators emphasized that accession will strengthen the country’s legal framework on nuclear safety, enhance public trust, and promote international cooperation in the sector. “Joining the Vienna Convention means that in the event of a nuclear incident, Uzbek citizens will be better protected, and the country will be part of a global system that ensures compensation is paid fairly,” one official said.

The core aim of the convention is to define the legal responsibilities of nuclear operators and ensure a minimum level of financial protection for victims. Officials noted that the move would integrate Uzbekistan into the global nuclear legal regime, enhance systems for insurance and compensation, and clarify the government’s role in regulating the industry.

Kazakhstan is currently the only Central Asian country that is party to the Vienna Convention, according to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). Uzbekistan’s accession will make it the second country in the region to join.

Officials also said the decision will deepen collaboration with the IAEA and enable Uzbekistan to participate in additional international initiatives related to nuclear energy and safety.

The Senate approved the legislation unanimously at the end of the session.