US working with Uzbekistan on small modular nuclear reactors, Rubio says

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Washington is working with Uzbekistan to deploy American small modular nuclear reactors and modernise the country’s electricity and gas distribution networks. He made the announcement at a meeting of the US-Uzbekistan Business and Investment Council attended by President Shavkat Mirziyoyev. Rubio did not specify which reactor projects, American companies or negotiation stages were involved.

Uzatom director Azim Akhmedkhadzhaev said in November 2025 that Uzbekistan was ready to study US small reactor technologies, citing Holtec, GE Hitachi and NuScale. Uzatom’s press service later said Uzbekistan has no obligation to buy such reactors, contrary to a US State Department statement of 7 November that listed such a commitment among agreements reached during talks in Washington.

Rubio also cited critical minerals cooperation with the Colorado School of Mines, quantum links between the University of Texas at Dallas and the Samarkand Quantum Center, and Boeing’s sale of 22 787 Dreamliners to Uzbekistan Airways last year. He said AKFA Group is investing $80 million in Bowling Green, Kentucky.