Astana hosts anti-nuclear conference

International conference called From Nuclear Test Ban to Nuclear Weapons Free World has kicked off in the Independence Palace in Astana, Tengrinews.kz reports. The conference is attended by delegates from 60 countries, representatives of foreign ministries, major former politicians who have made a significant impact into disarmament and non-proliferation, as well as by experts and representatives of NGOs. Kazakhstan President Nursultan Nazarbayev is taking part in the conference as well. Prior to the conference the delegates visited facilities of the National Nuclear Center in Kurchatov and Semei, took part in the rally timed to closure of Semipalatinsk test site. Deputy of Japanese Parliament Hiroyuki Moriyama declared that he suggested Nursultan Nazarbayev as a candidate for the Noble Peace Award and expressed hope that the positive response from the award’s organizers would be received in fall 2012. By Renat Tashkinbayev