Astana: Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has signed a decree to create an agency for atomic energy, marking a significant step in the Central Asian nation's plans to construct its first nuclear power plant. The move follows a referendum held last year, reflecting the nation's strategic commitment to develop its nuclear energy capabilities.

According to Anadolu Agency, the decree was posted on Kazakhstan's presidential press service website, Akorda. It specifies that the new agency will function as a state body, directly subordinate and accountable to the president. The agency is tasked with assuming several critical functions from the Kazakh Energy Ministry, including overseeing uranium mining, utilizing atomic energy, ensuring public safety from radiation, and managing the Semipalatinsk nuclear safety zone's creation and operation.

In a subsequent presidential decree, Almassadam Satkaliyev was appointed as the head of the agency. Satkaliyev previously served as Kazakhstan's energy minister from April 2023, bringing substantial experience to his new role. President Tokayev initially announced the agency's creation during a National Kurultai meeting on March 14, emphasizing the strategic importance of developing a robust energy sector to support the nation's economic growth.

The establishment of this agency follows a national referendum in October 2024, where approximately 71% of Kazakh citizens voted in favor of constructing the country's first nuclear power plant. President Tokayev had proposed the referendum in 2023, highlighting its significance for Kazakhstan's future energy security. However, the decision has not been without controversy, as critics have raised concerns about the potential risks of nuclear power, particularly given Kazakhstan's history with the Semipalatinsk nuclear test site, which was used extensively during the Soviet era.