San Francisco, California
November 16, 2023
“We see nuclear energy becoming a part of the Philippine energy mix by 2032, and we would be more than happy to pursue this path with the United States as one of our partners,” stated President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. as he witnessed the signing of the Agreement for Cooperation Concerning Peaceful Uses of Nuclear Energy by Department of Energy (DOE) Secretary Raphael Lotilla and United States of America (USA) Secretary of State Antony Blinken in San Francisco, California.
Talks on nuclear cooperation was launched during the visit of U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris to the Philippines in November 2022. With the Agreement signed, also known as the ‘123 Agreement’, the Philippines and the United States are entering negotiations to support their existing expanded cooperation on zero-emission energy and non-proliferation priorities.
“The signing of the Philippines-United States Agreement for Cooperation Concerning Peaceful Uses of Nuclear Energy, or the 123 Agreement, is the first major step in this regard, taking our cooperation on capacity building further and actually opening the doors for U.S. companies to invest and participate in nuclear power projects in the country,” President Marcos Jr. further noted.
Once in force, the Agreement will provide legal basis for civil nuclear energy cooperation, allowing the export of nuclear fuel, reactors, equipment and special nuclear materials from the United States to the Philippines. This will also support both countries’ energy security and climate goals, as well as the workforce and businesses in the sector.
“I look forward to seeing this agreement in action in the years to come. Nuclear energy is one area where we can show that the Philippines-U.S. alliance and partnership truly works — for our peoples, our economies, and the environment,” the Chief Executive concluded in his message.
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