Wednesday, 23 September 2026

Uzbekistan and the United States have signed a memorandum of understanding between their regulatory authorities on radiation and nuclear safety, according to UzDaily.

The agreement was concluded on the sidelines of the recent general conference session of the International Atomic Energy Agency in Vienna, Eurasianet reported. Officials from both sides signed a text covering monitoring, safe operations and disaster response.

Per Eurasianet, the memorandum also contains provisions enabling US technical assistance to improve regulatory guidelines and training programs.

Minister Michael Shanks used the United Kingdom's National Statement at the International Atomic Energy Agency's 2026 General Conference to detail the country's nuclear investment plans, according to UK DESNZ.

Shanks told the conference that the UK is investing almost GBP 17 billion through 2030 in what DESNZ described as its most ambitious nuclear new-build programme for a generation.

On large-scale reactors, the statement said Hinkley Point C and Sizewell C each will power six million homes for at least 60 years, with Sizewell C drawing on Hinkley's build experience as a case for replication.

The minister also set out funding for smaller units. DESNZ said the UK has allocated GBP 2.6 billion to its small modular reactor programme, framing design replication and factory fabrication as the route to turning repeatability into an industrial proposition.

Alongside that programme, nearly GBP 900 million in SMR supply-chain contracts is intended to grow domestic capability and support international markets, according to the National Statement.