The United States and Uruguay have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to enhance cooperation on select critical and emerging technologies. The agreement was formalized in Montevideo, Uruguay, with the participation of senior officials from both countries. Under Secretary of Commerce for International Trade Marisa Lago led the U.S. delegation, which included representatives from the Departments of Commerce and State. Foreign Minister Omar Paganini headed the Uruguayan side, joined by Minister of Industry, Energy, and Mining Elisa Facio and other ministry representatives.
This MoU builds upon previous high-level engagements between the two nations, including a June 2023 meeting between President Biden and President Lacalle Pou and a bilateral dialogue held in Washington, D.C., in February 2024. The new agreement aims to advance innovation, sustainability, economic opportunity, and increased trade by fostering collaboration on developing and deploying select technologies.
A Bilateral Working Group (BWG) will be established as part of this initiative. Its focus areas include semiconductors, artificial intelligence (AI), data flows, clean energy, telecommunications, cybersecurity, and biotechnology. The BWG is expected to hold regular meetings to outline collaborative activities under an action plan for leading technology opportunities (ALTO). Both countries are announcing initial intended actions under this framework.
The agreement also seeks to deepen bilateral and multilateral collaboration by identifying opportunities to support international standards for these technologies while promoting interoperability and global compatibility. In 2024, the United States plans to host Uruguayan delegations at visits, events, and conferences related to telecommunications, cross-border data flows, and clean energy. This includes an executive-led clean technology mission involving public- and private-sector participants.
To further these efforts, the United States intends to engage with Uruguay’s entrepreneurial ecosystem on cybersecurity issues as well as support development of a national AI and data strategy through training sessions, consultations, technical exchanges, expert meetings on AI strategies and cybersecurity frameworks. Additionally, the U.S. will assist Uruguay’s efforts toward establishing a sustainable hydrogen economy by providing a hydrogen subject matter expert for a short-term exchange program in Uruguay. These initiatives are expected to complement up to $2 million dedicated for cybersecurity capacity building projects.
Uruguay has expressed its intention to pursue common approaches with key partners on clean technologies—including joining the International Partnership for Hydrogen and Fuel Cells in the Economy alongside the United States.
“The United States recognized Uruguay’s leadership on critical and emerging technologies and strong track record in the principles of transparency, good governance, and anti-corruption,” according to the joint statement released after signing. “The Uruguayan delegation recognized the United States’ track record in the development of critical and emerging technologies. It also recognized that this cooperation between both countries demonstrates their shared commitment to advancing innovation and sustainability, and addressing global challenges, and that it will contribute to the transition towards a more sustainable and resilient future.”