Editor

The webinar, held as a joint BSWN–WINCA Network special event in celebration of Women’s History Month, highlighted the legacy of pioneering women in science and their continued influence today.

During the webinar, participants were introduced to Togzhan Kassenova’s book Atomic Steppe: How Kazakhstan Gave Up Nuclear Weapons. The book reveals a little-known chapter of Kazakhstan’s nuclear history — from the Soviet era to the present day.

This webinar provided an insightful overview of international and regional practices in the field of Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear (CBRN) safety and security. Bringing together experienced professionals from leading institutions, the event highlighted key initiatives, national experiences, and opportunities for strengthened cooperation across Central Asia.

As energy demands continued to rise and the global focus shifted toward cleaner and more sustainable sources, nuclear power re-emerged as a key component in the energy strategies of many countries—including those in Central Asia.

The joint webinar organized by the Black Sea Women in Nuclear Network (BSWN) and the WINCA Network (Women in Nuclear Central Asia) focused on the legacy of Soviet-era uranium production.

Today, modern and advanced methods are widely used in the nuclear industry and scientific research. During the webinar, participants learned about in-situ leaching and high-precision isotope system analysis.

The nuclear nonproliferation regime, founded on the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT), has existed for over 50 years. However, growing confrontation and a lack of political trust among major global powers are leading to significant shifts in international security, with negative implications for the nonproliferation regime as well. The webinar focused on the current state of the nuclear nonproliferation regime and its future prospects in the context of geopolitical uncertainty.