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U.S. and Dominican Republic Sign Nuclear Cooperation Agreement
By Guzmán Ariza, Attorneys at Law
On June 17, 2026, representatives of the United States and the Dominican Republic signed a Nuclear Cooperation Memorandum of Understanding (NCMOU) in Washington, D.C. The signing took place between officials from the U.S. Department of State and the Dominican Ministry of Energy and Mines. The agreement was reported by the Dominican Ministry of Energy and Mines, the Dominican Presidency's official communications office, and multiple Dominican news outlets.
Stated Purpose
According to the Dominican Ministry of Energy and Mines, the memorandum establishes a bilateral cooperation framework oriented toward knowledge exchange, technological development, and the training of human and institutional capacities in civil nuclear technology for peaceful purposes. The agreement is framed as operating under international standards for safety, radiological protection, and nuclear non-proliferation.
It is part of a wider set of cooperation efforts between the United States and the Dominican Republic spanning trade, security, infrastructure, energy, and institutional development.
Scope of Cooperation
Dominican officials described the areas the memorandum is intended to support as including:
- Nuclear medicine
- Production of medical radioisotopes
- Scientific research
- Training of specialized personnel
- Strengthening of institutional capacities related to the safe use of nuclear technologies
- Agriculture and food security
- Sustainable water resource management
- Environmental monitoring
- Various industrial and scientific processes
Explicit Limitations Noted by Dominican Officials
The memorandum does not authorize the transfer of nuclear materials, equipment, or technology. It was also stated that the agreement does not involve the immediate construction of nuclear power plants in the Dominican Republic, nor does it establish specific financial investment commitments. The immediate scope described is limited to technical training, scientific exchange, regulatory development, and evaluation of technologies that could factor into future energy planning.
Energy Context
The agreement is placed within the broader context of the country's electricity generation mix. Renewable sources currently account for approximately 25% of generation in the Dominican Republic, alongside natural gas, coal, and petroleum derivatives. The memorandum was described as part of an effort to evaluate additional technological alternatives for future energy security, without committing to any specific technology or project timeline.
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