Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — Nuclear energy today occupies a central role in the global energy system — as a source of clean and reliable power, a driver of economic growth, and a platform for cutting-edge scientific innovation. These themes were at the heart of the session titled “PRIDE. INSPIRATION. DREAM. The Role of the Nuclear Industry in Global Development” held on June 20 during the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF).

The session brought together leading international experts, heads of state corporations, ministers, scientists, and business leaders. Among the key speakers was Azim Akhmedkhadjaev, Director of the Nuclear Energy Agency under the Cabinet of Ministers of the Republic of Uzbekistan, whose address played a central role in the discussion about the future of the global nuclear industry.

In his presentation, Akhmedkhadjaev outlined Uzbekistan’s strategic vision for nuclear energy, emphasizing that the country is entering a new era of technological sovereignty. This includes not only the construction of nuclear power plants but also the comprehensive application of peaceful nuclear technologies in medicine, agriculture, and industry.

Special attention was given to non-energy uses of nuclear technologies. In partnership with the S. Berezin Medical Institute, Uzbekistan will establish a Nuclear Medicine Center equipped with advanced diagnostic and therapeutic technologies for cancer treatment. In parallel, a project is being implemented with Russia’s Rosatom to create multifunctional radiation processing centers for medical and agricultural products.

According to the Uzatom chief, these initiatives are shaping a new sectoral ecosystem in Uzbekistan that integrates production, science, education, and technology. Human capital development is also accelerating: since 2019, a branch of the National Research Nuclear University MEPhI has been operating in Tashkent, training hundreds of future nuclear professionals. Over 400 Uzbek students are pursuing specialized nuclear education in Russia and other CIS countries, with graduates now working in both national agencies and international energy facilities.

“The peaceful atom is not just about technological independence — it’s a gateway for our youth to join the global engineering elite, to contribute to sustainable development, and to apply their knowledge in the most advanced and high-tech fields,” — Akhmedkhadjaev stressed.

He also expressed confidence that, thanks to Uzbekistan’s strategic partnerships with leading global nuclear industry players and a focused national policy, the country will further strengthen its position on the global nuclear technology map.