The 19th meeting of the Joint Standing Committee of the United States and Argentina on Nuclear Energy Cooperation was held in Washington from February 25-27. It was chaired by Mr. Gonzalo Suarez, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Nonproliferation Policy in the Bureau of Arms Control and Nonproliferation of the United States Department of State, and Mr. Federico Ramos Napoli, Secretary of Nuclear Affairs, Ministry of Economy of Argentina.
The U.S. delegation included representatives from the Department of State, the Department of Energy (DOE), the National Nuclear Security Administration, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC), and the Department of Commerce. The Argentine delegation included representatives of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, International Trade and Worship / Directorate of International Security, Nuclear and Space Affairs (DIGAN), the National Atomic Energy Commission (CNEA), the Nuclear Regulatory Authority (ARN), and Nucleoeléctrica Argentina S.A., as well as the Embassy of Argentina in Washington.
Both Parties reaffirmed the value of civil nuclear cooperation in deepening their strategic, economic, and political relationship and advancing policies which uphold safeguards and the nonproliferation regime, and the highest standards of safety and security. They also affirmed their commitment to international security and nuclear non-proliferation, as well as sound practices for nuclear and radiological safety and security and emergency preparedness and response. They underscored the importance of the international community's commitments regarding the security of nuclear materials and facilities.
The United States and Argentina reaffirmed their commitment to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons and recognized its enduring benefits. Both countries highlighted the importance of preserving and strengthening the nuclear non-proliferation regime, and the effectiveness and efficiency of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) safeguards, and underlined the need to improve international cooperation in the peaceful uses of nuclear energy, within the framework of Article IV of the Treaty. They recognized the critical role and support of the IAEA in capacity building, technical cooperation and promoting responsible applications of nuclear technology.
The delegations underscored their commitment to deepening cooperation in the civil nuclear field at the bilateral and multilateral levels. The United States and Argentina continue to share an interest in deploying small modular reactors and other advanced civil nuclear technologies and recognize the potential of both to support economic growth and national development. Both countries reaffirmed their commitment to civil nuclear energy partnership under the Foundational Infrastructure for Responsible Use of Small Modular Reactor Technology (FIRST) program.
Both countries stressed the importance of close cooperation as civil nuclear technology rapidly advances, including the critical importance of exchanging technical information related to nuclear reactor regulation, oversight, licensing, physical protection, security and cyber security. The United States and Argentina committed to continue to collaborate on these issues and to continue working together on international safeguards and export controls.
The authorities of both delegations reaffirmed their commitment to swiftly complete negotiations on the text of a new Agreement for Cooperation between the Government of the United States of America and the Government of the Argentine Republic Concerning the Peaceful Uses of Nuclear Energy to replace the current agreement, which expires in 2027.
