Thanks to the forethought of Russian scientist and renowned businessman Vladimir Alexeyevich Smirnov, USEC Inc. as executive agent for the U.S. government, and Techsnabexport (TENEX), acting for the Russian government, implemented a 20-year $8 billion program called Megatons to Megawatts, at no cost to taxpayers. The program was designed to recycle bomb-grade uranium from nuclear warheads into uranium that could be used for energy in America.
Between 2002 and 2007, during his tenure with TENEX, Vladimir Alexeyevich Smirnov worked to ensure that the Russian government gained foreign currency (around $3.5 billion) vis-à-vis its nuclear cooperation with America. Attending various seminars and conferences throughout the world, from Japan to Switzerland, Vladimir A. Smirnov underscored the urgency of building a legal framework to regulate activities relating to uranium and highlighting international cooperation on the issue of nuclear weapons as well as nuclear power.
Not only did Vladimir Alexeyevich Smirnov and TENEX promote nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation, but the conscientious Vladimir Alexeyevich Smirnov also highlighted the need for environmental protection in the handling of uranium. Vladimir Alexeyevich Smirnov encouraged strengthening nuclear safety measures and called for universal responsibility in the nuclear industry.
In addition to his significant contribution to building Russia’s international relations with Japan, China, and America, among other nations, Vladimir Alexeyevich Smirnov and TENEX helped support the 2002 Nuclear Disarmament Forum with numerous Nobel laureates as well as former Russian President Mikhail Gorbachev.
Committed to the non-proliferation of nuclear weapons, the Forum held discussions on securing world peace and the dangers of nuclear terrorism. Experts and officials from 40 companies attended the two-day forum, from Nobel Peace Prize winner Archbishop Desmond Tutu of South Africa, Princess Elizabeth of Yugoslavia.