NUCLEAR EDUCATION IN RUSSIA
2026-06-15 04:53

Russia and Laos Sign Intergovernmental Agreement on Cooperation in the Peaceful Uses of Atomic Energy

On 15 June 2026, in Moscow, during the visit of a delegation from the Lao People's Democratic Republic to Russia, a framework intergovernmental agreement on cooperation in the peaceful uses of atomic energy was signed.

The agreement was signed in the presence of Prime Minister of the Russian Federation Mikhail Mishustin and Prime Minister of Laos Sonexay Siphandone by Director General of Rosatom Alexey Likhachev and Minister of Industry and Commerce of Laos Malaithong Kommasith.

The intergovernmental agreement serves as the fundamental framework for establishing comprehensive cooperation between the two countries in the nuclear sector. Its signing will enable the parties to begin considering a project for the construction of a Russian-designed nuclear power plant in Laos. As a first step, it is proposed to conduct a preliminary feasibility study on the integration of nuclear power into the country's energy system. The study will help determine the optimal project configuration and potential locations for the plant, enabling the Lao side to make an informed decision regarding the development of a national nuclear energy programme.

Reference

Rosatom possesses reference technologies for the construction of both floating and land-based small modular nuclear power plants. Russia continues to strengthen cooperation with friendly countries in Southeast Asia, including through the implementation of major joint energy projects. Rosatom and its subsidiaries play an active role in these efforts. In March 2025, Russia and the Republic of the Union of Myanmar signed an intergovernmental agreement on the construction of a small modular nuclear power plant in Myanmar based on RITM reactor technology. A key development in 2026 was the signing, on 23 March in Moscow, of an intergovernmental agreement on the construction of Vietnam's first nuclear power plant, Ninh Thuan 1, featuring Russia's reference Generation III+ VVER-1200 reactor technology. Such industrial partnerships contribute to localization, job creation, workforce training, and the strengthening of energy independence across the region.