The United States and the Philippines have recently signed a nuclear cooperation pact to support the Southeast Asian nation's transition to cleaner energy
The agreement was witnessed by Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken during the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in San Francisco
The nuclear cooperation pact, known as a Section 123 agreement, aims to help the Philippines develop reliable, affordable, and sustainable power by incorporating nuclear energy into its energy mix by 2032
President Marcos expressed enthusiasm about the partnership with the United States, emphasizing the role of nuclear energy in achieving the Philippines' energy goals
According to Marcos, the agreement will also create opportunities for U.S. companies to invest and participate in nuclear power projects in the Philippines
Secretary Blinken highlighted the speed of the negotiations, noting that the Section 123 agreement was completed within a year, making it the fastest negotiation for such an agreement
The Philippines has set an ambitious target of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 75% by 2030, and nuclear energy is seen as a crucial component in meeting this goal
Blinken emphasized that with access to U.S. material and equipment, both countries can deploy advanced technologies, including small modular reactors, to address climate goals and energy security needs
Small modular reactors, some as compact as a city bus, are considered advantageous in the Philippines, a nation comprising over 7,000 islands, as they can generate energy locally and conveniently