Over the 40 years of its existence, the test ground had been turned into a gigantic environmental disaster zone, suffering   hundreds of air, surface and underground nuclear explosions. The lives and health of more than one million people were adversely affected by the unrestrained armaments race.

Based on the Kazakh people’s will, the historical decision to close the nuclear test ground and Kazakhstan’s voluntary renunciation of the fourth largest nuclear stockpile was adopted. This was an unprecedented step; there is no similar event in world history. Nursultan Nazarbayev, the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan, was utterly and entirely behind the movement from the very moment the country declared its independence in 1991.

Today we express our concern that only a few other countries have followed our example, and potential nuclear calamity continues to threaten mankind.

We now address governments, parliaments, political parties, public and non-government organizations all over the world… we address all those who are concerned about the fate of our planet, and those who feel a responsibility to future generations…

We appeal to everyone to join the global movement on non-prolifiration and destroy nuclear weapons. Only by joint efforts can we keep the world from nuclear insanity.

We appeal to all humanity to hear the voice of Kazakhstan and eradicate the nuclear threat for the peace and prosperity of our common world!

We – in Kazakhstan - want a safe world for all children everywhere!