PARIS — Armenia has decided to adopt small modular reactor (SMR) technology and is currently evaluating proposals from international partners as it prepares to transition to a new nu- clear power unit, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said during the second Nu- clear Energy Summit in Paris. “Today, alongside the development of safety technologies, extending the lifespan of existing nuclear reactors provides a timely and cost-effective path toward achieving zero emis- sions,” Pashinyan said. “In this context, Armenia—like many countries represented here—has launched a program to extend the op- erational life of the Armenian Nuclear Power Plant until 2036. This exten- sion will create a solid foundation for a successful and safe transition to a new nuclear power unit.” The prime minister said Armenia is focusing on innovations in civilian nu- clear energy, particularly small modular reactor technologies, which he d e s c r i b e d as offering p r o m i s i n g prospects. “Our at- tention is focused on innovations in civilian nuclear en- ergy, espe- cially small modular re- actor technologies, which offer sig- nificant potential. Growing demand is encouraging leading companies to de- velop safer and more flexible solutions with shorter construction timelines and scalable capacity that can better meet the needs of national power grids,” he noted. “Taking these factors into ac- count, Armenia has decided to adopt small modular reactor technology. We are currently carefully studying the technologies and evaluating propos- als from international partners. The selection process is guided by con- siderations of reliability, long-term sustainability, and our commitment to the highest standards of nuclear safety, security, and non-proliferation,” the prime minister added. Pashinyan also emphasized that training qualified specialists will be critical for the development of nuclear energy through 2050.