Moscow. Russia and Laos have signed a framework intergovernmental agreement on cooperation in the peaceful use of nuclear energy, paving the way for discussions on the possible construction of a Russian-designed nuclear power plant in Laos.

The agreement was signed on Monday in Moscow during an official visit by a Lao delegation to Russia. The signing ceremony was attended by Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin and Lao Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone.

The document was signed by Rosatom Director General Alexey Likhachev and Lao Minister of Industry and Commerce Malaithong Kommasith.

According to Rosatom, the agreement establishes the legal framework for broader bilateral cooperation in the nuclear sector and allows both sides to begin evaluating a potential nuclear energy project in Laos.

As an initial step, the parties plan to conduct a preliminary feasibility study on integrating nuclear energy into Laos’ power system. The study is expected to assess the optimal project configuration and identify potential sites for a future nuclear power plant.

The findings will help the Lao government determine whether to proceed with the development of a national nuclear energy program.

Rosatom said it possesses technologies for both floating and land-based small modular nuclear power plants and continues to expand energy cooperation with Southeast Asian countries.

The agreement with Laos follows a series of nuclear energy partnerships signed by Russia in the region. In March 2025, Russia and Myanmar signed an agreement to build a small modular nuclear power plant in Myanmar using Russia’s RITM reactor technology.

Earlier this year, on March 23, Russia and Vietnam also signed an intergovernmental agreement in Moscow for the construction of Vietnam’s first nuclear power plant, Ninh Thuan 1, using Russia’s Generation III+ VVER-1200 reactor technology.

Rosatom said such projects could support industrial development, create jobs, strengthen workforce training, and improve long-term energy security in Southeast Asia.