Washington, Tokyo, Seoul Commit to Joint SMR Initiative Amid Global Energy Challenges

In a ceremony held at the NATO summit in Ankara, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Japanese Foreign Minister Motegi Toshimitsu and South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Hyun formalised a three‑country memorandum of cooperation on small modular reactors (SMRs). The initiative targets the Indo‑Pacific region as the first deployment zone, reflecting a shared commitment to energy security and climate resilience.

Rubio described the pact as a tangible outcome of deepening trilateral dialogue, pointing to recent geopolitical events that have highlighted the fragility of energy supplies. He asserted that cooperation on SMRs will bolster economic strength while preserving the highest safeguards against nuclear proliferation.

The memorandum calls for a joint effort to promote a fleet‑deployment model, mitigate project risks, achieve economies of scale, and attract private capital. It also calls for streamlined licensing and a fortified supply chain, ensuring that the emerging SMR market can deliver clean power efficiently.

The United States simultaneously unveiled over $10 million for its Small Modular Reactor Technology – Responsible Use Infrastructure program, earmarked for technical assistance to Indo‑Pacific nations, project acceleration, and the creation of a regional training hub for nuclear‑engineer talent.