[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 166 (Wednesday, August 27, 2003)]
[Notices]
[Pages 51632-51633]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-21909]


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DEPARTMENT OF STATE

[Public Notice 4459]


Bureau of Oceans and International Environmental and Scientific 
Affairs (OES); Plan of Action To Be Established Through the U.S.-
Singapore Memorandum of Intent on Cooperation in Environmental Matters

AGENCY: Department of State.

ACTION: Notice and request for comments.

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SUMMARY: The Department of State, through its Bureau of Oceans and 
International Environmental and Scientific Affairs, is providing notice 
that, in accordance with the terms of a U.S.-Singapore Memorandum of 
Intent on Cooperation in Environmental Matters (MOI), the two 
governments intend to devise a Plan of Action setting out initial 
cooperative projects to be pursued. In this notice the Department of 
State is requesting written comments from the public regarding priority 
areas for bilateral and regional environmental cooperation with the 
Republic of Singapore. In preparing comments, the public is encouraged 
to make reference to the MOI (available at: http://www.state.gov/g/oes/rls/or/22193.htm) and to the Final Environment Review of the U.S.-
Singapore Free Trade Agreement (available at: http://www.ustr.gov).

DATES: To guarantee receipt in proper time for consideration prior to 
the meeting, comments are requested as soon as possible but not later 
than thirty days after the publication of this notice.

ADDRESSES: Comments may be sent by fax to (202) 647-5947 or 202-647-
1052, or by e-mail to [email protected].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Chris Richard, Department of State, 
Bureau of Oceans and International Environmental and Scientific 
Affairs, Office of Environmental Policy, telephone 202-647-4548, e-mail 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On May 6, 2003 the governments of the United 
States and the Republic of Singapore signed a Free Trade Agreement in 
which both governments recognized the importance of strengthening 
capacity to protect the environment and to promote sustainable 
development in concert with the strengthening of trade and investment 
relations. The Parties agreed to pursue, as appropriate, cooperative 
environmental activities under a Memorandum of Intent on Cooperation in 
Environmental Matters (MOI). In the MOI, signed on June 13, 2003, the 
United States and the Republic of Singapore agreed to pursue 
cooperative environmental activities, including those pertinent to 
trade and investment and to strengthening environmental performance. 
This commitment was made to further the objectives of the Trade Act of 
2002, including Section 2101(c)(3), which calls upon the President to 
``seek to establish consultative mechanisms among parties to trade 
agreements to strengthen the capacity of the United States trading 
partners to develop and implement standards for the protection of the 
environment and human health based on sound science.'' (Further 
information on the negotiation of free trade agreements or on the Trade 
Act of 2002 can be found at the Internet site of the Office of the U.S. 
Trade Representative, http://www.ustr.gov.)
    In the MOI the governments expressed their intent to meet at least 
biennially to review the status of environmental cooperation 
activities. At the first of these meetings, they intend to devise a 
Plan of Action setting out initial cooperative bilateral, and, where 
appropriate, regional projects to be pursued. The MOI sets out a number 
of general areas under which the two governments may cooperate, 
including promotion of environmental management, exchange of 
information on environmental best practices, exploring avenues for 
technological cooperation, and promoting improved natural resource 
management and endangered species conservation. In devising the Plan of 
Action the governments of the United States and Singapore will develop 
a consensus on more specific objectives based upon further 
consideration of mutual environmental priorities and resources. Public 
comment is invited on potential cooperative projects and activities, 
particularly on ways in which non-

[[Page 51633]]

government organizations or business groups might be involved through 
public-private partnerships.

    Dated: August 22, 2003.
Robert Ford,
Acting Director, Office of Environmental Policy, Bureau of Oceans and 
International Environmental and Scientific Affairs, Department of 
State.
[FR Doc. 03-21909 Filed 8-26-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4710-09-P