THE agreement for the cooperation in the peaceful uses of nuclear energy between the United States and the Philippines entered into force on July 2, the US Department of State said.
This deal is part of broader US efforts to develop the Philippines' civil nuclear sector, the US State Department said in a media note on Monday (Tuesday in Manila), which was shared by the US Embassy in the Philippines.
It will enhance the US and the Philippines' cooperation on clean energy and energy security and strengthen their long-term diplomatic and economic relations.
The deal will permit the transfer of nuclear material, reactors, components, and information for nuclear research and civil nuclear energy production to concerned Philippine agencies, the State Department said.
Nuclear energy is sometimes referred to as a clean energy technology, as it produces nearly zero carbon dioxide or other greenhouse gas emissions. Nuclear energy produces electricity that can be used to power homes, schools and businesses.
Civil nuclear cooperation agreements, also known as "123 agreements," provide a legal framework for exports of nuclear material, equipment, and components from the US to another country.
"This Agreement builds on the nearly 80 years of peaceful nuclear cooperation between our nations and establishes a framework for continued US civil nuclear trade with the Philippines," the State Department said.
It noted that energy security "is an increasingly critical global challenge requiring deliberate, collaborative efforts, and together, our two countries can make a significant contribution to our shared clean energy goals."
Nuclear energy can help achieve these vital global climate change and energy security targets. "We look forward to exploring new avenues of cooperation with the Philippines in civil nuclear energy and other clean energy initiatives," it said.
Creating a safe, secure and modern sector requires a skilled workforce, robust regulations and strong commercial partnerships, the US government said.
"Our government is committed to working with the Philippines to advance each of these areas, and we look forward to further building our partnership together," the US Department of State said.
"This agreement provides a comprehensive framework for peaceful nuclear cooperation with the Philippines based on a mutual commitment to nuclear nonproliferation," it added.
US Embassy spokesman Kanishka Gangopadhyay said, "To enter into force, the agreement needs to satisfy domestic legal requirements for international agreements in both the US and the Philippines. In the United States, that requirement includes a notification to the US Congress."
The US' International Trade Administration (ITA) said that in March 2022, the Philippines signed a memorandum of understanding on Strategic Civil Nuclear Cooperation with the US to cooperate on civil applications of nuclear energy, science, and technology.
"The private sector is also moving quickly to bring nuclear power technology to the market and can engage in pilot studies. Some of these firms are doing an evaluation of nuclear technologies where US companies have the leverage to compete," the ITA said.
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