[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 87 (Thursday, May 6, 2010)]
[Notices]
[Pages 25032-25033]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-10724]
[[Page 25032]]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF STATE
[Public Notice: 6986]
Biennial Review of the Progress of Cooperation Under the United
States-Singapore Memorandum of Intent on Cooperation in Environmental
Matters and Suggestions for 2011-2012 U.S.-Singapore Plan of Action for
Environmental Cooperation
ACTION: Notice of a meeting for the Biennial Review of the progress of
cooperation under the U.S.-Singapore Memorandum of Intent on
Cooperation on Environmental Matters and solicitation of suggestions
for the 2011-2012 U.S.-Singapore Plan of Action for Environmental
Cooperation.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: The Department of State is providing notice that the United
States and Singapore intend to hold a Biennial Review of the progress
of cooperation under the U.S.-Singapore Memorandum of Intent on
Cooperation on Environmental Matters (MOI) in Washington, DC, on May
13, 2010. This biennial meeting to review the status of cooperation is
consistent with the intent of the two Governments as set forth in
Section 3 of the MOI. A public information session will be held on May
13th, at 1:30 p.m., in room 1105 at the U.S. Department of State, 2201
C Street, NW., Washington, DC 20520. If you would like to attend the
session, please send the following information to Jacqueline Tront at
the fax number or e-mail address listed below under the heading
ADDRESSES: (1) Your name, (2) your date of birth, and (3) the number of
a valid identification card that a government has issued to you.
The purpose of the Biennial Review is detailed below under
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION.
The meeting agenda will include an overview of progress in
implementing selected projects under the 2008-2010 Plan of Action
pursuant to the MOI, and the presentation of a new MOI Plan of Action.
The Department of State invites interested organizations and members of
the public to submit written comments or suggestions regarding agenda
items and to attend the public session.
Pursuant to the MOI, the United States and Singapore will discuss
and agree upon the 2011-2012 Plan of Action for Environmental
Cooperation. The Department of State is soliciting ideas and
suggestions for environmental cooperation projects between the United
States and Singapore. The MOI outlines broad areas for environmental
cooperation with the objective of ``identify[ing] environmental issues
of mutual interest to the two governments, and establishing a mechanism
through which the two governments can pursue cooperative environmental
efforts in those areas.'' In addition, in the Environment Chapter of
the U.S.-Singapore Free Trade Agreement (FTA) (Chapter 18), ``[t]he
Parties recognize the importance of strengthening capacity to protect
the environment and to promote sustainable development in concert with
strengthening of trade and investment relations between them. The
Parties shall, as appropriate, pursue cooperative environmental
activities, including those pertinent to trade and investment and to
strengthening environmental performance * * * under a Memorandum of
Intent on Cooperation in Environmental Matters. During 2011-2012, the
United States and Singapore intend to continue to build upon the
cooperative work initiated in the 2008-2010 Plan of Action, and to
continue to follow up on the themes reflected in the Environment
Chapter of the FTA.
The Department of State invites government agencies and the public,
including NGOs, educational institutions, private sector enterprises
and other interested persons, to submit written comments or suggestions
regarding items for the Plan of Action and implementation of
environmental cooperation activities. In preparing such comments or
suggestions, we encourage submitters to refer to: (1) The U.S.-
Singapore MOI, (2) the U.S.-Singapore 2008-2010 Plan of Action on
Environmental Cooperation, (3) the U.S.-Singapore FTA Environment
Chapter, and (4) the Environmental Review of the FTA. (Documents are
available at: http://www.state.gov/g/oes/env/trade/singapore/index.htm).
DATES: The meeting is to be held: May 13, 2010, 1:30 p.m. to 4:45 p.m.,
Washington, DC.
To be assured of timely consideration, comments are requested no
later than May 10, 2010.
ADDRESSES: Written comments or suggestions should be submitted to:
Jacqueline Tront, Office of Environmental Policy, Bureau of Oceans,
International Environmental, and Scientific Affairs, U.S. Department of
State, by electronic mail at [email protected] with the subject line
``U.S.-Singapore Biennial Review'' or by fax to (202) 647-5947. If you
have access to the Internet you can view this Notice and make comments
by going to http://www.regulations.gov/search/Regs/home.html#home.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, CONTACT: Jacqueline Tront, Telephone (202)
647-4750.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In Section 3 of the U.S.-Singapore MOI, the
Governments stated that they plan to meet biennially to review the
status of cooperation under the MOI and to develop and update, as
appropriate, a Plan of Action for Environmental Cooperation. The Plan
of Action is a tool which identifies and outlines agreed upon
environmental cooperation priorities, on-going efforts and
possibilities for future cooperation. The United States-Singapore FTA
entered into force on January 1, 2004. Chapter 18 of the FTA committed
the Parties to entering into a Memorandum of Intent on Cooperation in
Environmental Matters (MOI) and to pursue cooperative environmental
activities, including those pertinent to trade and investment and to
strengthening environmental performance, such as information reporting,
enforcement capacity, and environmental management systems. The last
Biennial Review was held on October 10, 2008 in Singapore. The Parties
discussed implementation of the 2005-2007 Plan of Action, and
elaboration of the 2008-2010 Plan of Action. Regional environmental
initiatives, ``green'' technologies, and reducing air and water
pollution were high on the list of future activities discussed during
the 2008 Biennial review and TRAFFIC described its work in the Region
to combat illegal wildlife trafficking and logging.
At the upcoming Biennial Review in Washington, DC on May 13, 2010,
the Parties will receive reports on progress of implementing the 2008-
2010 Plan of Action and review and approve the 2011-2012 Plan of
Action. The Parties will also consider recommendations for future
bilateral cooperation during the Biennial Review.
The mutually identified goals of cooperation under the 2008 to 2010
Plan of Action are: (1) Encouraging the bilateral and regional use of
innovative and climate-friendly environmental technology and pollution
management techniques; (2) participating in regional initiatives on
environmentally sustainable cities and sustainable management and trade
in sustainably managed resources; and (3) further improving capacity to
implement and enforce environmental laws, including further enhancing
efforts of countries in the region to combat illegal trade in
environmentally sensitive goods through bilateral and regional
cooperative activities. We anticipate continuing to work to achieve
these goals in the 2011 to 2012 plan and are seeking ideas and
suggestions for activities that can be included in the Plan of Action
consistent with them.
[[Page 25033]]
Ongoing environmental cooperation work includes: Participation in
regional workshops to combat illegal trade in environmentally sensitive
goods, technical exchanges on water systems and water pollution
management, participation in regional initiatives on sustainable
management and trade in sustainably managed resources, promotion of
energy efficiency projects and partnerships, cooperating through the
Pacific Ports Initiative and combining efforts under the Sustainable
Cities Program. The listed activities and additional cooperative
activities were outlined in previous Environmental Cooperation Action
Plans and discussed during previous Biennial Review meetings.
Additional information can be found on the website listed above.
In carrying out this cooperative work, the United States and
Singapore intend to explore the development of partnerships with
private sector and civil society organizations, to build upon and
complement ongoing bilateral cooperative work in other fora, and to
explore opportunities for mutual collaboration in these priority areas
with other countries in the region.
Disclaimer: This Public Notice is a request for comments and
suggestions, and is not a request for applications. No granting or
money is directly associated with this request for suggestions for the
2011-2012 Plan of Action. There is no expectation of resources or
funding associated with any comments or suggestions provided for the
2011-2012 Plan of Action.
Dated: April 23, 2010.
Willem H. Brakel,
Director, Office of Environmental Policy, Department of State.
[FR Doc. 2010-10724 Filed 5-5-10; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4710-09-P