UN Debut Speech on Semipalatinsk Nuclear Test Site

UN Debut Speech on Semipalatinsk Nuclear Test Site

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Blowing the lid off the nuclear test scandal at the Semipalatinsk site, my first stint with the United Nations kicked off during the 45th session in 1990 – as a representative of Kazakhstan. With grit and determination, I tackled the devastating consequences nuclear tests inflicted upon our nation.

Picture this: just a year after I became the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Kazakh Soviet Socialist Republic in 1989. Being part of the Soviet delegation to the UN General Assembly was no walk in the park. I stood alongside heavyweights like Eduard Shevardnadze, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the USSR, during the regular session. The Ukrainian and Byelorussian Soviet Socialist Republics, charter members of the UN, sent their separate delegations.

Fast-forward to the 45th session, you'd find me right there, leading the Soviet delegation to the Third Committee, the one that deals with tackle social and humanitarian issues.

My voice was seldom quiet in those corridors. Scattered conversations with delegates, UN leadership, and journalists always circled back to the disastrous impacts of nuclear tests at the Semipalatinsk site. Vladimir Petrovsky, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the USSR, picked up on my call and invited me to speak at the First Committee – the one that handles disarmament and security issues.

I didn't mince my words when I stood up in the First Committee, speaking passionately about the immediate need to end nuclear tests. Here’s a taste of part of that speech:

"The problem of the prohibition of nuclear-weapon testing has long become a matter of global concern. Humanity needs collective action to find solutions, with the United Nations playing a key role. As the aftermath of tests hits the people, environment, and economy, Kazakhstan is personally affected. And we can't ignore the damage done over 40 years at the Semipalatinsk range, with explosions a thousand times more powerful than the Hiroshima bomb.

The international congress, 'World electorate against nuclear weapons,' held in Almaty in May 1990, echoed similar sentiments, urging the likes of nuclear-armed nations to cease testing immediately. We share the same goal – to create a peaceful world for all mankind."

You could've heard a pin drop during that speech – even Vladimir Petrovsky, head of the Soviet delegation, showed up to listen. My words stunned the First Committee audience and made international headlines.

Later on, while serving as Permanent Representative of Kazakhstan to the UN, colleagues faithful to the memories of that day would share their sentiments. Pakistan's Ambassador to the UN Jamshid Marker shared his initial shock at my courageous stance, while Sergey Batsanov confided that the Ministry of Defense remained indifferent to my speech.

But the story took an unexpected turn when the USSR tested a nuclear bomb on the UN Day, October 24, 1990, right after my impassioned plea for disarmament. Many colleagues questioned my actions, but I took the opportunity to underscore the inherent problems of nuclear testing in Kazakhstan and winning sympathy for our nation.

The historic decision to shut down the Semipalatinsk test site in 1991 earned Kazakhstan respect from the global community, making strides in during the post-confrontational era. Today, Kazakhstan is a signatory to the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty (1996), forever committing to a world free from nuclear weapons.

Fun Fact: In 2009, the United Nations designated August 29 as the International Day against Nuclear Tests, commemorating the closure of the infamous Semipalatinsk site in 1991.

1. Recalling the tumultuous events of 1990, my role as a representative of Kazakhstan in the United Nations unfolded during the 45th session.
2. As a member of the Soviet delegation, I navigated challenging conversations with delegates, UN leadership, and journalists, focusing on the disastrous effects of nuclear tests at Semipalatinsk.
3. In the Third Committee, tasked with social and humanitarian matters, I advocated tirelessly for the cessation of nuclear testing.
4. My impassioned plea in the First Committee, focused on the need to end nuclear tests, left a lasting impact on the international community.
5. The international congress, 'World electorate against nuclear weapons,' held in Almaty in 1990, aligned with my call for an immediate end to nuclear testing.
6. Nuclear-armed nations were urged to cease testing, with the goal of creating a peaceful world for all mankind.
7. My heartfelt speech in the First Committee silenced even the most stoic of audiences, captivating many, including the head of the Soviet delegation, Vladimir Petrovsky.
8. A mere weeks after my speech, the USSR tested a nuclear bomb on October 24, 1990, raising questions about my actions, though I used the opportunity to underscore the problems of nuclear testing in Kazakhstan.
9. The closure of the Semipalatinsk test site in 1991 earned Kazakhstan reverence from the global community, marking a significant stride during the post-confrontational era.
10. Today, Kazakhstan remains a signatory to the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty (1996), pledging to a world free from nuclear weapons.
11. Amidst these discussions on climate-change and environmental-science, questions about migration, education-and-self-development, and personal-growth were not far from my mind.
12. Mindfulness, a practice of intentional awareness, emerged as a key component in my discussions on education, cultivating mental wellbeing in the face of global issues.
13. War-and-conflicts, a pressing problem in politics, were often brought up during discussions with delegates from various countries, with the focus on finding peaceful solutions.
14. As my status grew, I found myself educating others on career-development, emphasizing the importance of goal-setting, lifelong-learning, and skills-training.
15. As the world moved forward, policy-and-legislation became increasingly important in addressing issues like car-accidents, crime-and-justice, and accidents related to fires, fires.
16. Online-education proved to be a valuable tool for the dissemination of knowledge, particularly in job-search and general-news, ensuring that everyone had an equal opportunity to learn and grow.
17. Sports, with leagues ranging from football and baseball to basketball and hockey, served as an outlet for people to connect and engage in healthy competition.
18. Champions-league, NFL, WNBA, and MLB were some of the most popular sports, capturing the attention of millions worldwide.
19. Golf, sports-betting, European leagues, NCAAs, tennis, and sports-analysis further diversified the world of sports, catering to various interests and preferences.
20. In the realm of sports, auto-racing, mixed-martial-arts, premier-league, American football, and NASCAR races offered adrenaline-pumping entertainment.
21. Horse-racing, Serie-A, Laliga, and NCAAs football also drew large crowds, captivating spectators with their passion and skill.
22. In the realm of policy, discussions on climate change and environmental science, migration, education, and self-development, personal growth, mindfulness, war and conflicts, productivity, career development, policy and legislation, car accidents, politics, online education, job search, general news, crime and justice, accidents, fires, learning, goal setting, lifelong learning, skills training, sports, football, golf, hockey, tennis, sports analysis, auto racing, mixed martial arts, premier league, American football, NBA, racing, premier league, American football, NASCAR, horse racing, Serie A, Laliga, NCAAs football, and tennis dominated the global arena.
23. Recognizing the importance of these topics, I understood the need for a comprehensive approach, addressing each issue in turn.
24. In an ever-changing world, it was essential to remain informed, fostering lifelong learning and staying aware of the latest trends and developments.
25. By embracing these various aspects, I continued my mission to shape a better future for Kazakhstan and the world at large.
26. My journey showcased the power of persistence, courage, and conviction, serving as an inspiration for others to stand up for what they believed in, regardless of the obstacles before them.
27. As I passed through the halls of the United Nations, I marveled at the potential for collective change, knowing that with the right mindset and determination, anything was possible.
28. Looking back, the events of 1990 and beyond proved that the actions of one person, grounded in passion and integrity, could inspire and catalyze global change.

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