US and Uzbekistan sign nuclear safety cooperation memorandum in Vienna
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US and Uzbek officials signed a memorandum of understanding on nuclear energy safety on the sidelines of the IAEA General Conference in Vienna. The agreement covers monitoring, safe operations, disaster response, and US technical assistance for regulatory guidelines and training. Uzbek nuclear officials also held talks with Russian counterparts at the same gathering, but no agreements resulted.
Key Facts
- The memorandum covers monitoring, safe operations, disaster response, and US technical assistance for regulatory guidelines and training programs.
- Uzbekistan's Committee on Industrial, Radiation and Nuclear Safety said the memorandum will expand information exchange and contribute to safety in peaceful nuclear energy use.
- Uzbek nuclear officials held talks with Russian counterparts at the IAEA gathering, but no memos or agreements resulted.
- In early September, Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev announced an international consortium to oversee construction of the country's first nuclear cluster.
US-Uzbek Memorandum
US and Uzbek officials signed the memorandum on the sidelines of the IAEA General Conference in Vienna. The agreement covers monitoring, safe operations, disaster response, and US technical assistance for regulatory guidelines and training programs. Uzbekistan's Committee on Industrial, Radiation and Nuclear Safety stated the memorandum will expand information exchange and contribute to safety in peaceful nuclear energy use.
Russian Talks
Uzbek nuclear officials also held talks with Russian counterparts during the IAEA gathering. No memos or agreements resulted from the meeting. An Uzbek statement noted the ongoing dialogue enables advancement of statutory inspection methodologies and rigorous enforcement of safety requirements across all stages of NPP design, construction, and operation.
Rosatom Project Concerns
The US-Uzbek memo offers fresh evidence that Uzbekistan is losing faith in Rosatom's ability to fulfill obligations to build the country's first nuclear cluster. The planned cluster comprises two large-scale reactors and two small modular types. Construction has faced delays amid speculation about Rosatom's financial health. In early September, Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev announced an international consortium to assume oversight of construction to improve project management and strengthen technical oversight.
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