29^th  AUGUST – INTERNATIONAL DAY AGAINST NUCLEAR TESTS. EMBASSY OF KAZAKHSTAN INITIATED A TELECONFERENCE BETWEEN SEMEY AND HIROSHIMA

Tokyo, August 27: The Embassy of Kazakhstan in Japan initiated to hold a teleconference between Semey and Hiroshima dedicated to the International Day Against Nuclear Tests and the 20^th Anniversary of closure of the Semipalatinsk Nuclear Test Site.

The event was held under support of Semey State Medical University and NGO “Hirohima-SemipalatinskProject".

It was attended by prominent scientists, experts in the field of nuclear and radiation security, as well asNGO and mass media representatives of both countries.

Teleconference participants pointed out the importance of a historic decision made by President of Kazakhstan Nursultan Nazarbayev to close on August 29, 1991 the Semipalatinsk Test Site and highlighted Kazakhstan’s substantial contribution to global security by voluntarily renouncing its nuclear arsenal.

According to participants, both Kazakhstan and Japan, as the countries most affected by nuclear weapons, have an absolute historical and moral right to play the role of leaders in the movement for nuclear free world.

During the teleconference a video version of translated into Japanese Kazakh song "Zamanay" (about the tragedy of nuclear tests in Semey) performed by Hiroshima City Choir was presented to the audience.

Onthe same day a photo exhibition on the consequences of nuclear tests at the Semipalatinsk Test Siteand Kazakhstan’s contribution to global security was held in Hiroshima Machizukuri Plaza.

From August 29 to September 5, 2011 the Embassy of Kazakhstan in Japan in cooperation with the Honorary Consulate of Kazakhstan in Kansai region will also open a special photo exhibition on International Day Against Nuclear Tests in Osaka city (Umeda Sky Bldg. Tower East, 3F).