[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 33 (Friday, February 18, 2005)]
[Notices]
[Pages 8343-8344]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-3304]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

International Trade Administration


International Industry Symposium at 3Rs Initiative Ministerial 
Conference (Reduce Waste, Reuse and Recycle); Notice of Opportunity for 
Participation

SUMMARY: The Deputy Assistant Secretary for Manufacturing at the 
Department of Commerce will host an informational meeting on March 2, 
2005 regarding the 3Rs International Industry Symposium to be hosted by 
the Government of Japan in Tokyo on April 28, 2005. The 3Rs Initiative 
(Reduce waste, Reuse and Recycle) was introduced by the Government of 
Japan and supported by the U.S. at the 2004 G8 summit in Sea Island, 
Georgia.

DATES: March 2, 2005--2 p.m.-3:30 p.m.: Department of Commerce 3Rs 
International Industry Symposium Meeting, Department of Commerce 
Building, 1401 Constitution Ave., NW., Room 1412, Washington, DC 20230.

[[Page 8344]]

    April 28, 2005--International Industry Symposium, Tokyo, Japan.

ADDRESSES: Please send indications of interest to attend the 3Rs 
International Industry Symposium, and the DOC 3Rs Meeting by facsimile 
or e-mail by March 1, 2005 to Sarah E. Aker, 
[email protected], Office of the Deputy Assistant Secretary 
for Manufacturing, Department of Commerce, Room 2132, 1401 Constitution 
Ave, Washington, DC 20230, Phone: (202) 482-4073, Fax: (202) 482-0856. 
Please include your name, phone number, and organization affiliation.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The U.S. Department of Commerce Office of 
Manufacturing, and the 3Rs Interagency group is announcing the 
opportunity to attend the International Industry Symposium on the 3Rs 
Initiative on April 28, 2005 in Tokyo, Japan. The 3Rs Initiative 
(Reduce waste, Reuse and Recycle) was introduced by the Government of 
Japan and supported by the U.S. at the 2004 G8 summit in Sea Island, 
Georgia.
    It was further agreed at Sea Island that Japan would host a 
Ministerial level conference that will take place April 29-30, 2005 in 
Tokyo, Japan to formally launch the initiative. On April 28, 2005 as a 
side event to the ministerial meeting, the Organization for the 
Promotion of Sustainable Society (OPSS) and the United Nations 
University will hold an International Industry Symposium on the 3Rs 
Initiative for industry representatives under the auspices of the 
Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) and other relevant 
ministries. The industry meeting will provide a discussion opportunity 
for those who are interested in developing the 3Rs, and the outcome of 
the symposium will be reported to the Ministerial meeting. The 
Department of Commerce seeks the views and input of individual 
attendees, and not group or consensus advice.
    The tentative program for the International Symposium on the 3Rs 
Initiative as provided by the Government of Japan (http://www.env.go.jp/earth/3r/en/index.html) is as follows:
    Track A: Challenges to talking on business activities in the 3Rs 
system. Topics to be addressed:
    How has the business sector contributed to building the 3Rs system?
    What kinds of technological developments should be conducted in 
enhancing the 3Rs system?
    Are there any institutional factors obstructing technological 
development in enhancing the 3Rs system?
    How should we inspire the interest of consumers in the 3Rs 
activities of the business sector?
    Track B: EcoDesign. Topics to be addressed:
    The industrial best practices of EcoDesign.
    EcoDesign for sustainable development.
    Prospective tools for enhancing EcoDesign policy (simulator for 
sustainable development).
    Track C: Building an international logistics network for recycling. 
Topics to be addressed:
    Horizontal share of economic activities and international 
recycling.
    Balance between maximizing international resource utilization and 
protecting the environment.
    Challenges to logistics network for international recycling in 
respect of logistics costs.
    Challenges to logistics network for international recycling in 
respect of regulation of logistics.
    Proper control of recyclable materials.
    The White House Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ), which is 
leading the interagency effort, and Joseph H. Bogosian, the Deputy 
Assistant Secretary for Manufacturing at the U.S. Department of 
Commerce, would like to solicit interest by March 15, 2005 from 
stakeholders who would like to attend the International Industry 
Symposium on April 28 in Tokyo, Japan in order to pass on the 
preliminary list of interested attendees to the Government of Japan.
    Private Sector members are fully responsible for travel, lodging, 
and personal expenses associated with their participation in this 
event. They will receive no compensation. The private sector members 
will present the views and interests of the particular business sector 
in which they operate; private sector members are not special 
government employees.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION: Please contact Sarah E. Aker, Office of the 
Deputy Assistant Secretary for Manufacturing, Department of Commerce, 
Room 2132, 1401 Constitution Ave, Washington, DC 20230 
[email protected], Phone: (202) 482-4073.

    Dated: February 14, 2005.
Sarah E. Aker,
Special Assistant, Office of the Deputy Assistant Secretary for 
Manufacturing.
[FR Doc. 05-3304 Filed 2-17-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-DR-P