Bangladesh has signed a memorandum of understanding with the United States to increase nuclear cooperation. Photo: Collected
Bangladesh has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the United States to promote the peaceful use of nuclear energy and enhance mutual cooperation in this sector.
The MoU was signed in New York on Friday (September 25). Rehan Asad, Advisor to the Prime Minister on Telecommunications and ICT, signed it on behalf of Bangladesh, and Jacob Helberg, Undersecretary for Economic Growth, Energy and Environment, signed it on behalf of the United States. Rehan Asad confirmed the matter.
The MoU mentions the strategic importance of the diplomatic relationship between Bangladesh and the United States and its positive impact on regional and international security. It also highlights the importance of energy security between the two countries.
It said that both countries recognize the potential role of nuclear energy in meeting their energy needs. Civil nuclear cooperation will be guided by the highest standards of nuclear safety, security, safeguards and non-proliferation.
According to the agreement, both Bangladesh and the United States have the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Safeguards Agreement and Additional Protocol in force. At the same time, both countries are signatories to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT). The NPT was signed on July 1, 1968.
The new agreement with the United States is part of Bangladesh’s long-term efforts to increase and diversify its energy sources. Bangladesh is already building the country’s first nuclear power plant in Rooppur with Russian cooperation. It has also taken steps to increase international cooperation in the field of nuclear science and technology.
Earlier, in May this year, Bangladesh signed another memorandum of understanding with the United States on broader cooperation in the energy sector. One of the goals of that agreement was to strengthen the country’s long-term energy security by procuring energy from various sources.
However, the main focus of the new agreement is on the peaceful use of nuclear energy and increasing cooperation between the two countries in this sector. Unlike the previous agreement, it is not focused on general energy trade.
