The United Nations Interregional Crime and Justice Research Institute (UNICRI) conducted the first Train-the-Trainers (TTT) session on countering radiological and nuclear (RN) trafficking for Kazakhstan’s security and law enforcement agencies. The five-day training, held on 6-10 October 2025 at the Nuclear Security Training Center of the Institute of Nuclear Physics in Almaty, marked a significant step towards strengthening national and regional capacities to prevent and respond to RN trafficking threats.

The session gathered operative officers and instructors from key national institutions, including the Prosecutor General’s Office, Ministry of Internal Affairs, Committee of Atomic Supervision and Control, Institute of Nuclear Physics, National Security Committee, Kazatomprom, and the Committee of Sanitary and Epidemiological Control of the Ministry of Healthcare of the Republic of Kazakhstan.

Participants received both practical and theoretical training on RN materials encountered in illicit trafficking and on intelligence-led operations to detect and intercept such activities. The agenda included core CONTACT modules covering fundamentals of nuclear physics tailored to the needs of operative officers, the use of radiation detection equipment, personal safety protocols, identification of commonly trafficked materials, planning and execution of intelligence operations, post-operation procedures, and legal aspects of investigation.

The Institute of Nuclear Physics also presented its activities in nuclear forensics and organized a visit to the research reactor and waste storage facility located on its premises.

Designated instructors from the participating agencies will continue to refine their expertise and pedagogical skills, enabling them to deliver CONTACT-based national training programmes on countering RN trafficking within their respective institutions.

The CONTACT–Central Asia initiative, launched in late 2023 and implemented by UNICRI with funding from the Norwegian Radiation and Nuclear Safety Authority (DSA), aims to strengthen the capacity of security and law enforcement officials in Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan to prevent and combat RN trafficking, enhance regional cooperation, and promote the exchange of information on related incidents.