MANILA, Philippines — The United States and the Philippines have agreed to strengthen partnership and cooperation on nuclear energy, science and technology.
Energy Undersecretary Gerardo Erguiza Jr. and US State Undersecretary of State for arms control and international security Bonnie Jenkins have signed a Nuclear Cooperation Memorandum of Understanding (NCMOU), which seeks to improve cooperation on energy security and strengthen diplomatic and economic relationship.
“The United States and the Philippines have an enduring alliance and maintain long-standing cooperation in the fields of security, energy, commerce, and nonproliferation,” the US State Department said in a statement.
“Deepening our cooperation in nuclear energy, science and technology has the potential to make a significant contribution to our shared clean energy goals, agricultural development, availability of clean water, medical treatments and more,” it said.
“Our nuclear cooperation rests on a strong nonproliferation regime and the Philippines’ steadfast commitment to nonproliferation,” it added.
According to the US State Department, NCMOUs will enable the US to help “its partners build their own infrastructure for the responsible use of nuclear energy and technology, and adopt high standards of nuclear safety, security and nonproliferation, including independent regulatory oversight.”
NCMOUs also help partner countries prepare to take advantage of the advanced nuclear technologies and innovations in reactor design and other areas that are being pioneered in the US.
The memorandum was signed days after President Duterte signed an executive order allowing the use of nuclear energy in the country.
Meanwhile, the US Agency for International Development on Thursday formally launched a new project to build climate resilience in the Philippines, one of the world’s most disaster-prone countries.
Initially announced during the Indo-Pacific Business Forum in October 2021, the five-year, P750-million ($15 million) Climate Resilient Cities project aims to help Philippine cities adapt to, mitigate and endure the impacts of climate change by increasing their access to climate financing and tools to build resilience.
Through this project, the US government will support local government units and other stakeholders to better understand, use and disseminate climate information to local communities.
“Climate change is impacting people, communities, and nations all around the world,” said US embassy Chargé d’Affaires ad interim Heather Variava.
“We believe that responding to the climate crisis is a shared mission between the US and Philippine governments. We look forward to our collaboration with key stakeholders to ensure that resilience is built into the fabric of cities in the Philippines,” she added.
The project also aims to help cities and nongovernment organizations access climate financing to increase community resilience and contribute to their economic and social development, as well as support natural climate solutions that increase cities’ resilience to climate change impacts.
“Climate change is a serious threat and a daily reality for the Philippines. For us, reversing the effects of climate change is a matter of survival,” said Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez, who also chairs the Climate Change Commission in behalf of the President.
“We are determined to move ahead with the implementation of actual projects on the ground to be able to meet our commitments,” he added, referring to the country’s commitment to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 75 percent in 2030 for the agriculture, wastes, industry, transport and energy sectors.
Working with USAID to implement the Climate Resilient Cities project is the Catholic Relief Services and its consortium partners, including the University of the Philippines Resilience Institute, Philippine Disaster Resilience Foundation, Conservation International and Rocky Mountain Institute.