Bangladesh and US sign nuclear energy cooperation agreement

Bangladesh and the United States have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to enhance cooperation regarding the peaceful and civilian uses of nuclear energy. The agreement was signed in New York on September 25 during the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly.

Representing Bangladesh was Rehan Asad, Adviser to the Prime Minister on Science and Technology, while Jacob Helberg, Under Secretary for Economic Growth, Energy, and the Environment, signed on behalf of the United States. The agreement is described as a continuation of cooperation initiatives first established in 1981.

Parallel to this diplomatic development, uncertainty has emerged regarding the delivery of uranium fuel for the second unit of the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant. Although the shipment was scheduled to arrive in Dhaka last Thursday, officials from the Bangladesh Science and Technology Ministry reported that the delivery was delayed because airspace was not cleared. The project is being constructed with technical assistance from Russia’s state atomic energy corporation, Rosatom.