Kazakh artist born without arms addresses UN on nuclear testing legacy

September 4, 2026 at 12:17 PM1 min

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Kazakh artist Karipbek Kuyukov, born without arms due to nuclear testing, addressed the United Nations in New York. He called for a world free of nuclear weapons, citing the 456 tests conducted at the Semipalatinsk site from 1949 to 1989. UN High Representative Izumi Nakamitsu warned of renewed testing risks amid geopolitical tensions.

Key Facts

Karipbek Kuyukov was born 100 kilometers from the Semipalatinsk nuclear test site.
From 1949 to 1989, 456 nuclear tests were conducted at the Semipalatinsk site.
Kazakhstan closed the Semipalatinsk site on August 29, 1991.
The UN declared August 29 as the International Day against Nuclear Tests on Kazakhstan's initiative.
More than 2,000 nuclear explosions have been conducted worldwide since 1945.

Kuyukov's Address

Kuyukov walked through UN headquarters corridors with diplomats, scientists, and activists before the session. The action ended at a historic photograph of protesters demanding the closure of the test site. Kuyukov said he decided to fight nuclear weapons for all victims as long as he has strength. He stated that we must leave a safe world to our descendants.

Nuclear Testing Legacy

Hundreds of thousands of people were exposed to elevated radiation doses from the tests. The consequences of radiation exposure are passed down from generation to generation. UN High Representative for Disarmament Izumi Nakamitsu warned that fears of possible resumption of testing are being voiced again amid geopolitical tensions. A total of more than 2,000 nuclear explosions have been conducted worldwide since 1945.

Land Reclassification

Part of the Semipalatinsk test site territory, 832,900 hectares, was transferred to pasture land category. The lands were distributed among Karaganda, Pavlodar, and Abai regions.