Eighteenth meeting of the Joint Standing Committee of the United States and Argentina on Nuclear Energy Cooperation

The eighteenth meeting of the Joint Standing Committee of the United States and Argentina on Nuclear Energy Cooperation was held in Buenos Aires, Argentina, from September 30 to October 3, 2024. It was chaired by Ms. Marcia Levaggi, Undersecretary of Foreign Policy of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Argentina, and by Mr. Lowell H. Schwartz, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Nonproliferation Policy in the Bureau of International Security and Nonproliferation of the United States Department of State.

The US delegation included representatives from the Department of State, the Department of Energy (DOE) and the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC), as well as the US Embassy in Argentina. 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.

Both Parties reaffirmed the value of civil nuclear cooperation to strengthen their strategic and political relationship. They also affirmed their collective commitment to international security principles and nuclear non-proliferation regimes, including principles related to sound nuclear and radiological security practices and emergency preparedness and response. They highlighted 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 Nonproliferation of Nuclear Weapons and recognized its enduring benefits. Both countries highlighted the importance of preserving and strengthening the nuclear non-proliferation regime, including the effectiveness and the efficiency of 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 recognized the great importance of continuing to identify areas of common interest in order to cooperate in the nuclear field at the bilateral and multilateral levels. The United States and Argentina share an interest in small modular reactors and other advanced nuclear technologies, and recognize the potential of both to support economic growth and national development, as well as to advance our shared environment goals.

Both countries stressed the great importance of exchanging technical information related to nuclear reactor regulation, oversight, licensing and physical and cyber security. The United States and Argentina reaffirmed their commitment to collaborate on these issues and to continue working together on international safeguards and export controls.

The authorities of both delegations committed to commence negotiations on the renewal of the 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, which expires in 2027.