The United States may now be able to deploy advanced nuclear technologies to the Philippines as Washington announced Tuesday, July 9, the coming into force of its 123 Agreement or the civil nuclear pact with Manila.

The US State Department said that the US-Philippines Agreement for Cooperation in Peaceful Uses of Nuclear Energy already took effect beginning July 2 after it satisfied Washington’s domestic legal requirements, which included a notification from the US Congress.

“The agreement will enhance our cooperation on clean energy and energy security and strengthen our long-term bilateral diplomatic and economic relationships,” the department said.

In November 2023, the Philippines and the US signed the nuclear deal following a negotiation process led by Vice President Kamala Harris during her historic trip to Manila.

The agreement laid out a comprehensive framework for peaceful nuclear cooperation between the two countries to allow for the transfer of nuclear equipment and material for peaceful uses.

With access to US material and equipment, Manila and Washington would work together to deploy advanced new technologies, including small modular reactors, to support climate goals as well as critical energy security and baseload power needs within the Philippines.

“This agreement also establishes non-proliferation criteria that both governments must uphold,” the US State Department’s November announce​ment said​.

That included observing specific standards for covered items used in civil nuclear energy programs, including International Atomic Energy Agency safeguards; physical protection of covered items; and limitations on enriching, reprocessing, and transferring specific items without the other Party’s consent.

​The US State Department on Tuesday highlighted the agreement's significance as energy security i​s an increasingly critical global challenge requiring deliberate collaborative efforts​.

Why the agreement is important is because "nuclear energy can help achieve these vital global climate change and energy security targets,​" according to the department.

​"This agreement builds on the nearly 80 years of peaceful nuclear cooperation between our nations and establishes a framework for continued U​S civil nuclear trade with the Philippines.  This agreement is part of broader U​S efforts to develop the Philippines’ civil nuclear sector​," it said.

"Creating a safe, secure, and modern sector requires a skilled workforce, robust regulations, and strong commercial partnerships.  Our government is committed to working with the Philippines to advance each of these areas and we look forward to further building our partnership together​," it added.